(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia University is pleased to announce the hiring of Andrew Tirmenstein who will lead the Cardinals' Track & Field program.  Tirmenstein comes to Concordia Ann Arbor after a seven year stint as the assistant coach at Concordia University Chicago.

Tirmenstien stated that "I am excited to bring a new chapter to the CUAA track program. I think this school and program have a lot of potential moving forward, and I am honored to be the person to help take the next step."

Among Coach Tirmenstein's accomplishments, he helped developed Merrell Davis and helped him earn a berth at two Outdoor National Championships and one Indoor National Championship, while setting school records in the long jump, 100m, and 200m. His mark of 7.42m/24'4" was good enough to be ranked first in the nation for a week and broke an 80 year old Concordia Chicago school record.

In addition, Tirmenstein's top triple jumper, Jamal Thomas, set indoor and outdoor school and conference records while under Tirmenstein's direction. His mark of 14.51m/47'7.25" during his senior year indoor season was good enough for 14th in the nation, just one spot off qualifying for the National Meet.

Most recently, Tirmenstein coached freshman Antwon James to an 8th place finish in the long jump during the 2012-2013 season. James' mark of 7.22m/23'8.25" made him the top NCAA Division III freshman jumper during the 2012-2013 season, as well as the first Concordia Chicago male athlete to receive All-American honors in school history.

Before returning to his alma mater at Concordia Chicago, Tirmenstein served as an assistant coach for two years at Walther Lutheran High School. While coaching the men's and women's jumpers, he coached two men and one woman to the Illinois' state track meet in both the long jump and the triple jump.

Tirmenstein collegiate career saw him compete at Concordia Chicago for four seasons between 2003 and 2006 as a sprinter and jumper. During the indoor season of 2003, he ran the 400-meter leg as part of the distance medley, and that foursome holds the school record with a time of 10:54.72. Tirmenstein also played three years of soccer at Concordia Chicago and was a key contributor to the 2005 conference championship team.

A native of St. Louis, Tirmenstein lettered four years in both track and soccer at Lutheran North High School. He was part of the 2001 Missouri state championship team, competing in relays and hurdles.

Tirmenstein graduated Concordia Chicago in 2006 with degrees in secondary education and visual arts. He has his USATF Level Two Coaching Certification in both jumps and multi-events. He is currently an active member of the United States Track Coaches Association, United States of America Track and Field, and the Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association.