The Concordia Invitational Tournament will always be remembered, not only for the flashy dunks or heart stopping 3-pointers, but for the moments with teammates, family and friends. It is a chance to be around those closest to you as the noise inside the R. John Buuck Field House increases and the intensity level on the court rises.

Former basketball student-athletes took time to reflect on their playing experience at the Concordia Invitational Tournament.

Stacy (Rusch) Leibham – '05
What is your most memorable moment at CIT?
Winning CIT in 2007 when I was part of Stacey Brunner's coaching staff. The Falcons had not won CIT since the early 90's and it was incredible to be a part of bringing the championship back to CUW.

What was your favorite part of playing in a CIT game?
It was exciting being part of the energy of the fans at CIT. The gym was packed and it was an amazing environment to play in. The tradition of CIT shows in the alumni that come to support the teams, as well as the respective Concordia's faculty and staff.

What advice can you give to freshmen playing in their first CIT?
Treat the game(s) as you would any other season matchup. Use the big crowds and energy to your advantage.

What was your favorite school to play against at CIT and why?
Concordia Nebraska because we were always undersized, but we always competed.

What did it mean to you to represent CUW at CIT?
I felt blessed to be part of CIT as a player for four years. God uses the game of basketball and brings groups of people together to compete for one weekend every year. There is so much pride associated to bringing the CIT trophy home and I am excited to be a CUW fan this upcoming weekend cheering in the stands.

Travis Moulton – '07
What is your most memorable moment at CIT?
The most memorable moment for me was winning CIT at Chicago in 2007. We had a comfortable lead at the end of the championship game and having the chance to celebrate our accomplishment as the first CUW men's team to win CIT with my teammates and coaches.

What was your favorite part of playing in a CIT game?
My favorite part of CIT was the overall atmosphere. The energy that goes along with CIT is very special. All eight teams (men's and women's) are there to win a championship and that competitive nature is fun to be around. The amount of support that we got from CUW fans was unreal.

What advice can you give to freshmen playing in their first CIT?
Enjoy it! No matter your role on your team, CIT is a very unique experience that can bring people together. Also, don't take it for granted. Not very often do you get a chance to perform in that type of setting.

What was your favorite school to play against at CIT and why?
I liked competing against all teams at CIT. However, I feel like Concordia Nebraska always had a target on their back because they had a lot of success in the history of the tournament. It felt good beating them in the opening round the year we won it.

What did it mean to you to represent CUW at CIT?
It was a very special experience. The long bus ride down to Nebraska my freshman year was not that fun, however, I had no idea that the atmosphere would be so amazing. To come out for warmups in front of such a packed house was something new for me at the collegiate level. To have CUW fans come out to support the team in such a ruckus setting is something I will never forget. C-U-DUBB!!!

Kristen Ruppe – '08
What is your most memorable moment at CIT?
Well, the year we WON it of course! We beat Concordia Nebraska in a nail-biter to clinch the title and I will never forget that.

What was your favorite part of playing in a CIT game?
The crowd. We had a great following and huge support from the school. It was a loud and noisy gym!

What advice can you give to freshmen playing in their first CIT?
Enjoy every moment. The opportunity to be a part of something this special doesn't come along very often.

What was your favorite school to play against at CIT and why?
Concordia Nebraska because we didn't see them all year except at the CIT. They always had the reputation of being solid competition.

What did it mean to you to represent CUW at CIT?
I was proud of my school, loved my teammates and loved basketball. We were all part of something bigger & working for a common goal. It truly was an honor. I STILL talk about it to this day!

Mitchell Schneider – '12
What is your most memorable moment at CIT?
I would say when we won the tournament when I was a sophomore in 2010, which was also the year we hosted.

What was your favorite part of playing in a CIT game?
The atmosphere was my favorite part. The crowds were always into the games from the starting tipoff to the final buzzer. They always increased the level of excitement when I play at CIT.

What advice can you give to freshmen playing in their first CIT?
Have fun playing in the games, enjoy the environment and take in everything you can because it goes by faster than you think.

What was your favorite school to play against at CIT and why?
I would say Concordia Nebraska because we always had a lot of fun, hard fought games when we played each other.

What did it mean to you to represent CUW at CIT?
It meant a lot to me because it's something a lot bigger than just a basketball tournament. People from all over the country were coming together to enjoy a basketball tournament. More importantly, it is a tradition that has been going on for many years that incorporates faith and a community purpose at the collegiate level that you don't find anywhere else. As an athlete and as a student, it was always an honor to be able to represent CUW at CIT.