Vive la France!

Ben Wagner '14 personifies Concordia's slogan of being "global like no other," coming all the way from his hometown of St.-Aubin de Médoc in France to kick for the Cobber football team.
 
In his first two games this season, the junior kicker has been perfect on 11 extra point tries, and successfully hit his only field goal attempt – a 42-yarder that is considered long by college standards.
 
"It's a dream come true," Wagner says. "I love being on this team and hanging out with these great guys. Coach Horan said he'd give me a chance to kick this year, and so far it's working out."
 
Wagner began playing soccer at age 6. He learned American-style football while attending high school in Oregon. After his first year of college in France, he wanted to return to the United States to continue his studies.
 
A scholarship placement program led him to Concordia's website, and he liked what he saw.
 
"I liked the campus immediately, and Concordia was the first to reply to my inquiries," says Wagner. "Right from the start, everything felt right about coming here."
 
Prior to his perfect performance against Jamestown, Wagner's biggest thrill was running into the stadium for the first home game last season.
 
"A big crowd was cheering and the band was playing – it was just fantastic. There's nothing like this in France. My friends from my football club tell me how lucky I am to be a part of all this," he says.
 
Wagner is majoring in business marketing with a minor in communication. His parents are now big fans of American-style football. They follow their son's success through Concordia's website and will travel here to watch him play against Carleton and St. Thomas.
 
Small in stature but with a leg that can boom accurate kicks more than 50 yards, Wagner shares the dream of all kickers.
 
"I play it in my mind all the time – hitting the winning field goal as time expires," he says. "That would be the ultimate thrill."