Concordia University Texas
11/04/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/04/2025 07:58
More Than the Game: Lessons from Head Men’s Basketball Coach Stan Bonewitz
The sound of sneakers squeaking, whistles echoing, and voices filling the gym. That's where it all begins. From the moment you step onto the court with Coach Bonewitz, you know it's going to be intense. His energy is contagious, his expectations are high, and every drill feels like a test of who you are as a player and as a person. He doesn't just coach. He demands your best and makes you believe you can give even more. The tone is set from the first whistle: loud, focused, relentless. And he expects his leaders to carry that same fire, pushing the rest of the team to match it.
For Coach Bonewitz, basketball isn't just a sport. It's part of his DNA. It runs through his family and fuels his purpose every day. Now in his 22nd year of coaching at Concordia University, his passion and drive haven't faded for a second. He continues to pour himself into his players, not just to win games but to shape men who are accountable, resilient, and grounded in faith.
CTX vs Mary Hardin-Baylor
I saw that side of him most clearly when I faced one of my toughest challenges. During practice, I went down with what looked like a serious knee injury, possibly a torn ACL. At that moment, everything I had worked for felt uncertain. But Coach was there immediately, not just as a coach but as someone who truly cared. He drove me to appointments, checked on me daily, and made sure I had everything I needed. When I finally got the news that it wasn't torn, he was the first to celebrate with me. Even before that, he never stopped believing in me.
That injury changed me. Sitting on the sideline made me realize how much I love this game and how much I had taken the simple act of running, cutting, or jumping for granted. It taught me patience, gratitude, and perspective. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I started to see the injury as a challenge and an opportunity to rebuild not just my knee but my mindset. Coach reminded me that adversity reveals character, and he helped me rebuild mine stronger than before.
Beyond basketball, Coach Bonewitz teaches us that what we do off the court matters just as much. He expects excellence in the classroom and in our relationships. He pushes us to hold each other accountable, to study hard, and to lead with integrity. Most of all, he reminds us to stay grounded and to trust in God's plan, even when it's not the one we expected.
"Being authentic and being real with what we do in practice creates an environment of fun," he says. "Invest in yourself and the situation you're in. Hope for the best outcome but keep pushing day by day."
Playing for Coach Bonewitz has taught me far more than how to play defense or run an offense. It's taught me how to approach life. Every sprint, every challenge, and every lesson on the court mirrors something bigger: perseverance, humility, and faith. I've learned that greatness isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up, being consistent, and trusting the process. I'm proud to wear the jersey, but even prouder of the person this journey is shaping me to be.
About the Author
Darone Leakes is a kinesiology major and student-athlete at Concordia University Texas. As an Athletics Digital Content Creator with the Ultraviolet Student Agency, he captures the energy and faith-driven spirit of Concordia Texas athletics. Inspired by Coach Stan Bonewitz, he continues to grow as a leader both on and off the court while pursuing his goal of becoming a physical therapist.
Concordia University Texas published this content on November 04, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 04, 2025 at 13:58 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]