Yannik Gruner turned his experiences at CUW into leadership on the football field and in the business world.
Under the Saturday night lights at Tomasini Stadium, the Falcons line up at the 20-yard line as the crowd rises to its feet and students wave their blue and gold. The quarterback calls the snap, the line surges forward, and the ball breaks through the defense as teammates and fans erupt in celebration against the backdrop of Lake Michigan’s cool evening breeze.
This could describe one of many experiences on the Concordia University Wisconsin football field for 2023 alumnus Yannik Gruner. As a former CUW quarterback, he has taken his experiences back to his home country of Austria, where he now serves as the head coach for the WU Tigers, the team of the Vienna University of Business and Economics.
Gruner, who attended CUW after participating in a foreign exchange program, has served as the head coach for the Tigers since last summer; prior to that, he was the team’s pass game coordinator. In addition, Gruner, who graduated from CUW with degrees in economics as well as finance, with a minor in political science, is also the co-founder and one of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisors for Adquin & Co., an Austrian-based, specialized firm focused on strategic M&A research, buyer/seller identification, and advisor matching.
Where economics meets politics
Concordia prepared Gruner not only for a career in coaching, but also gave him the flexibility to shape an academic path that supported his business ambitions.
“I initially went into college pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science,” Gruner said. “However, I quickly realized that one of my major interests was economics and, in particular, the commercial aspects of it. Therefore, I decided to shift my focus to economics. Combining it with finance gave me a specialization that I believed would provide me with a useful background, regardless of what area I’d go into after college.
“The minor in political science was merely out of interest,” he added. “I just wanted to learn more about politics by some great professors at the university.”
And that he did.
Throughout his academic journey, he worked toward attaining a more holistic understanding of the world. His two degrees, with a minor in political science, certainly helped him gain that understanding.
“From high school onward, I have been interested in the interconnectedness of politics and economics. Studying both disciplines allowed me to analyze issues from multiple angles,” Gruner said. “Even on a smaller scale, many of the principles discussed in economics and political science apply (e.g. negotiation, diplomacy, strategic decision making). Therefore, I believed that especially economics and political science naturally complement each other.”
Prepared for two callings
While his experiences as a quarterback on the Falcons football team provided a strong foundation for his coaching role at Vienna University, his educational focus at Concordia prepared him for a career in mergers and acquisitions.
“M&A is a highly dynamic environment that is clearly influenced by macroeconomic factors like interest rates. However, the political aspects should not be underestimated either,” he said. “For example, the developments of the recent months have led to a greater willingness by European nations to invest in defense tech. This has subsequently led to increased deal activity from both private equity investors and strategic acquirers, along with a broader understanding of the sector’s strategic importance.”
Gruner’s football coach while he was at Concordia, Greg Etter, said he is impressed with Yannik’s success post-graduation. “Yannik was a student of the game, always trying to learn and improve,” Etter said. “He was a great leader, hard worker and truly cared about his teammates. Very selfless! I believe all of these traits will make him a very successful coach. It is our hope that the Lutheran and Christian values taught at CUW follow our graduates throughout their lives.”
One word: Purpose
Gruner carries Concordia into his current and future endeavors, whether it be on the field with his team or in the office. When asked what one word sums up his experiences at Concordia, he said, “Purpose.”
“Many students arrive on campus unsure of their life’s purpose and with major decisions ahead of them,” he said. “CUW’s mission and community helped me find mine in using my strengths to help others, whether that be as a coach, in my job as an M&A advisor, or in my personal life.”
“The School of &” blog series highlights the distinctive identity of Concordia University Wisconsin’s School of Arts & Sciences, where interdisciplinary connections shape learning and purpose. Each month, the series features Concordia students and alumni who have paired majors, minors and certificates in thoughtful and creative ways, showing how this approach influences both their education and their sense of calling.
These stories reveal how students connect their studies, develop their gifts, and live out their callings in service to the Church and the world.
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.