Coach David Risch

David Risch will be entering his 14th season as Concordia's cross-country coach, the longest tenure among any of Concordia's head coaches. Risch has headed up five Cougar championship teams that include consecutive men's titles from 2001 to 2004 and a women's title in 2003. In addition, he has been named Coach of the Year four times by the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference.

Risch, a 1987 graduate of Concordia, earned his B.A. in elementary education. He taught junior high at Bethel Lutheran in Chicago for 10 years where he was Director of Athletics, coach of numerous sports, and Chairman of the Lutheran School League of Chicago for eight years. In addition, he was one of four finalists for the Good News Award for excellence in teaching in 1996.

Risch was a four-year letterman at his hometown Seymour (Ind.) High School where he received the Senior Athlete of the Year Award in 1983. He was a four-year letterman in Concordia's track and cross-country programs, the team captain in Concordia's first-ever conference championship, and all-conference for four seasons in both sports. In addition, Risch received NIIC All-Scholastic honors twice and as a senior received Concordia's Terry-Schubert Award for Christian Service.

Coach Risch is currently an active member of the United States Track Coaches Association, United States of America Track and Field, American Running Association, Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association, International Amateur Athletics Federation, National Federation of Interscholastic Coaches Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Bell-Lap Ministries.

In addition to his cross-country coaching duties, Risch serves as an assistant for the Cougars' track and field team.

Contact Information:
E-Mail: david.risch@cuchicago.edu
708-209-3649 (Office)
708-209-3154 (Fax)