IRVINE, Calif. – CUI Athletics proudly introduced its Kenneth A. Walker Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Saturday before the men's volleyball match, continuing a tradition of honoring the men and women who left lasting legacies during their playing days at Concordia.

A standout swimmer, the leading scorer from the men's soccer program, and the best libero to put on a Concordia volleyball uniform were all inducted as individuals to the Hall of Fame. That talented trio was joined by the 2013 NAIA National Champion Concordia men's volleyball team, who won the title in its first year of existence as a program.

A Scoring Sensation On the Pitch

A star on the soccer field… Jeff Clark (2005-2008) was a two-time NAIA All-American and the GSAC Player of the Year in 2006. Clark is still the all-time leading scorer in program history with 50 career goals and he was a four-time All-Conference selection.

Clark also holds the school records for career points (126) and game-winning goals (19)... is third all-time in career assists… and holds the highest mark with six converted penalty kicks.

He is one of only three Concordia men's soccer players to ever compile at least 100 points… and he has the most game-winners in a single season with seven in 2006.

Clark and his teammates helped pave the way for future soccer success by rising to the top of the conference and reeling off at least a dozen victories in each of his four seasons at Concordia. That remarkable stretch has only happened twice in the program's history.

During his time in a Concordia uniform, the men's soccer team won 80 percent of their conference games and went an impressive 8-2 in league play all four years.

Add it all up and he ranks in the Top 10 in an outstanding 26 different categories in the CUI men's soccer record book!

Making Waves

Bailee Blankemeier (2014-2018) was an All-American Swimmer in three different events and a NAIA National Champion in the 400 Individual Medley. She dominated in the 400 IM, the 200 Butterfly and the 500 Freestyle.

In fact, she still holds the school record in the 400 IM and the 200 Butterfly, and she was named PCSC All-Conference five times.

Outside of the pool, Blankemeier served as a community leader in many ways. She was a student representative for her team for three years on SAAC (the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee), ultimately working as SAAC President her senior year.

During this time, Blankemeier led the growth of department-wide community service outreach projects. She was a connector in the community and helped develop a relationship with the Village of Hope Foundation and CUI Athletics. She organized days to feed the homeless, helped get CUI Athletics involved with Operation Christmas Child, and she was also a JoyFactor volunteer for the Jesse Reese Foundation and an Ambassador for the "Never Ever Give Up" Gala (NEGU). The mission of the Jesse Reese Foundation & NEGU is to help children and families battling all forms of childhood cancer.

In 2018, Blankemeier became the first student-athlete to earn the Golden Eagle Award at the Senior Legacy Banquet. (At the time it was called "the Eagle Award)." This honor is unique because it is given to individuals who excelled in the classroom and athletically, but most importantly were a living example of what it means to be a well-rounded, dedicated example of a Concordia University Irvine student and athlete. The Golden Eagle Award was created to recognize a select group who best embodies the spirit of CUI and represents not only athletics but the institution well into the community.

The Best Libero

Kara Vincitorio (2010-2014) was the starting libero on the undefeated 2012 women's volleyball team that won the NAIA National Championship.

In addition to anchoring the National Champions who went 38-and-0 that special year, she still holds the School Record for Most Career Digs (1,897) and helped Concordia reel off a jaw-dropping 55-game winning streak over a two-year span. She ranks in the Top 10 in nine different categories in the CUI women's volleyball record book.

The women's volleyball team saw unprecedented success during her time wearing the libero jersey as Concordia did not lose a single game during her final three seasons. She also helped Concordia go an impressive 35-1 in conference play over the course of her sophomore, junior and senior campaigns.

To put this in perspective, her career at Concordia included 126 wins and just 15 losses.

Her former coach Trevor Johnson complimented her by saying at the induction ceremony that "Kara was the best libero I have ever coached at any level."

For the past decade, she has continued to be involved at her alma mater as a member of Concordia's sports information staff. This includes helping with the athletics department's social media presence, game day staffing, record book updating and score keeping for a number of sports, including all three Concordia volleyball teams.

The 2013 NAIA National Champion Men's Volleyball Team

Led by head coach Trevor Johnson… The 2013 Concordia men's volleyball squad went 25-7 in the program's first year of existence. The storybook season was capped off with a perfect weekend where the team did not lose a single set on its way to securing it first NAIA National Title.

Not only did this team show it could win in its first season as a program, it showed it could win convincingly. Concordia defeated Park University from Missouri to claim the trophy in 3 sets… 25-22, 25-22, 29-27.

Among the many individual performances that contributed to the team's success, Dillon Auxier was named Tournament MVP and Recent CUI Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Naseri Tumanuvao was named NAIA Player of the Year and an All-American.

Tumanuvao was also the Hitting Percentage Leader in the NAIA Tournament while Mark Metrakos was another NAIA All-American who led the team with 116 blocks and hit at a .421 clip. Brett Anema started every game and was First Team All-Conference

This team also earned the first No. 1 national ranking in Program history. This was the sixth team to win a National Title at Concordia… and occurred just a few months after the Concordia women's volleyball team ALSO won the NAIA National Championship in the same school year.