Concordia University Wisconsin has announced the Concordia Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025: Cara (Landherr) Grilli, Eric Kittel and Tom Saleska.
The class of 2025 was recently honored earlier this October during Welcome Back Weekend.
“It is with great admiration and respect that we recognize the 2025 CUW Athletics Hall of Fame class inductees,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill. “Each of them have made a lasting impact on their teams and have been great examples of what it means to be a Concordian.”
Cara (Landherr) Grilli | Softball, 2010-13
Playing from 2010 to 2013, Cara (Landherr) Grilli showcased her versatility by excelling at both shortstop and first base, and her impact at the plate was just as strong as her presence in the field.
She made an immediate impact as a freshman, batting .413 with 43 hits and 33 RBIs. In 2011, she followed that with a .491 average and 44 RBIs, earning first-team All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference honors as a shortstop. After suffering a season-ending injury two-thirds of the way through her junior year, she returned to form in 2013, moving to first base and putting together one of the best offensive seasons in program history. That year, she led the conference with 57 RBIs, hit 13 home runs to lead all CUW players in a single season, and became the first player in school history to be named to the NFCA All-Great Lakes Region first team.
Landherr Grilli finished her career with 119 hits, 18 doubles, 22 home runs and 139 RBIs. She posted a .368 batting average, .428 on-base percentage and .616 slugging percentage. She also ranks fifth all-time in batting average at .394, fifth in slugging at .608, fifth in home runs with 22 and third in RBIs with 139.
A four-time academic all-conference selection, Landherr Grilli graduated with a degree in exercise physiology/pre-physical therapy, balancing high-level performance on the field with academic excellence in a demanding program. She set the standard for CUW softball and remains one of the most complete players in program history. After graduation, she married and now has two children.
Eric Kittel | Basketball, 2013-17
Eric Kittel cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever wear a Falcons jersey, starring for the Concordia University Wisconsin men’s basketball program from 2013 to 2017. A four-time All-NACC selection, Kittel began his career by earning All-Freshman Team honors before being named first-team All-NACC in each of his final three seasons. As a senior, he garnered regional attention as the NACC 2017 Man of the Year and earned a D3hoops.com All-Central Region third-team nod.
Kittel’s career was filled with memorable moments and record-setting performances. As a freshman, he hit a half-court buzzer-beater to defeat Millikin, finishing the game with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc and five steals. As a sophomore, he led CUW to a NACC Tournament title, scoring 17 points in a 73-71 championship victory at Aurora. He recorded the program’s first triple-double during his senior season, tallying 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against Rockford on Jan. 23, 2017. That same year, he became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,541 points.
Known for his efficiency, consistency and toughness, Kittel started all 109 games in his career, shooting 47.6% from the field, 39.9% from 3-point range and 83.9% from the free-throw line. He also finished with 263 made 3-pointers, 532 field goals, 414 assists (third all-time) and 218 steals (second all-time), while averaging 14.1 points per game. He reached the 1,000-point milestone as a junior on Feb. 13, 2016, once again on the road at Aurora.
Following graduation, Kittel continued his playing career professionally with the Sligo All-Stars in Ireland before returning to the United States to become a high school teacher and basketball coach. He remains a passionate supporter of CUW basketball and an active member of the Falcon community.
Coach Tom Saleska | Men’s Soccer, 1993-2018
Dr. Tom Saleska served as head coach of the Concordia University Wisconsin men’s soccer program for 26 years, building one of the most respected and successful programs in the region. From 1993 through his final season in 2018, Saleska led the Falcons to 324 victories, nine conference championships and two NCAA Division III tournament appearances. Under his leadership, CUW became a consistent contender in both the Lake Michigan Conference and the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, earning national recognition and a strong regional reputation.
During his tenure, Saleska’s teams recorded double-digit win totals in 24 of 26 seasons, including a program-record 18 wins in 1996. His career record stands at 324-156-43 overall and 185-55-17 in conference play. He was a five-time conference Coach of the Year and helped guide 119 players to all-conference honors, 46 to all-region recognition and two to All-America status. His teams also excelled in the classroom, with five student-athletes earning Scholar All-America honors and the program twice receiving national team academic awards.
Saleska’s legacy extends far beyond wins and accolades. He was a model of Christian leadership, known for his commitment to character, integrity and faith—mentoring hundreds of student-athletes through both soccer and academics. After retiring from coaching, he continued to serve CUW as a full-time professor in the science department until his retirement in 2025. That same year, he was honored as CUW’s Faculty Laureate—a fitting recognition for someone who truly embodied the university’s mission to develop students in mind, body and spirit. A pillar of the CUW community, Saleska leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, leadership and faith.
About the Hall of Fame
After graduating from the St. Louis Seminary and serving in parish ministry, Coach William Ackmann began his tenure at Concordia in 1928. He was both a visionary and a leader, coaching basketball and serving as athletic director. Dean Ackmann was featured on the cover of LIFE magazine in the 1950s for his innovative use of the trampoline in physical fitness. Another of his major accomplishments was the construction of the state-of-the-art Ackmann Pool, which was added to the Barth Gymnasium on the original Concordia campus.
The William C. Ackmann Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame was founded in 1995 to honor the most celebrated athletes of Concordia University Wisconsin.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.
Being a Concordia Falcon isn’t just about out-scoring competitors in the athletic arena. It’s about developing as an individual, both in and out of the game. Dedicated coaches and staff put in the time to see that you walk away from your Concordia experience as a better athlete, a stronger Christian, and a champion of character.