The Office of Sports Media Relations is responsible for the day-to-day publicity efforts of Valparaiso University's 21 Division I sports. The primary function of the Valpo Sports Media Relations Office is to service and accommodate the media in its coverage of the entire Crusaders' Athletic department. Requests for interviews and photos of student-athletes, coaches, or administration must be made 24 hours in advance through the media relations office.

The Sports Media Relations Office, located in the Athletics-Recreation Center, handles a variety of press services, including, but not limited to, the issuing of credentials, creating press releases, the publication of game programs and press notes, as well as compiling statistics and web site maintenance.

Members of the Sports Media Relations Office will assist with any day-of-game needs, including player and coach information, in-game statistics and post-game notes and quotes.

TBA Sports Media Relations Associate AD/Media Relations Primary Contact: Baseball, Football Men's & Women's Golf, Swimming, Tennis Women's Basketball, Soccer Email: TBA Tel: (219) 464-5232

Aaron Leavitt Sports Media Relations Associate Director of Sports Media Relations Primary Contact: Men's Basketball, Soccer Bowling, Volleyball, Softball Men's & Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Email: Aaron.Leavitt@valpo.edu Tel: (219) 464-6953 Click here for Aaron's bio

CREDENTIALS: Credentials for home games are provided to those members of the media who are covering the event in a full working capacity and requests should be made by email or phone as far in advance as possible, with a minimum of 24 hours notice. Passes may be claimed at the Media Entrance of the ARC located at the west entrance of the building. A media pass does not necessarily guarantee a seat on press row. Spouses, dates, children and non-workers are NOT permitted in the media areas. Passes must be displayed at all times, and Valparaiso reserves the right to revoke passes and privileges at any time due to misrepresentation or misconduct.

PARKING: Requests for parking should be made at the same times as credential requests and are based upon availability.

GAME SERVICES: Programs, notes, media guides, statistics, and play-by-play are provided only to credentialed media. For wireless internet access, contact a media relations member, preferably when you request your credentials. Light refreshments are available in the Media Room for basketball and in the press box for football.

RADIO: The visiting team's "official" station, as designated by the visitors' Media Relations Director, will be permitted origination privileges. A courtesy phone line is provided for football, basketball, and volleyball. An ISDN line is only available for events in the Athletics-Recreation. Center.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Photographers are not permitted to shoot from in front of the team benches nor from the catwalk above the floor (for security, insurance and safety reasons). Along the end lines, photographers must stay behind the broken line and clear of the free throw lane. Flash photography is not permitted.

INTERVIEWS: Valparaiso's locker room is closed to all media. The head coach and requested players will be available for interviews after each game. To arrange for a player interview during the week, contact the Valpo Sports Media Relations office.

NCAA Guidelines and the Media
Media members should be aware of several NCAA rules that apply to student-athletes. If there is ever a question if any media-related activity or event including a Valparaiso student-athlete could be a possible NCAA violation, contact Associate AD for Sports Media Relations Ryan Wronkowicz for an interpretation.

Areas of concern include:
Coaches and University officials cannot make comments on prospective student-athletes until they sign a National Letter of Intent. A coach cannot comment on a prospective student-athlete who verbally commits to an institution.

The Media Relations Department cannot disclose any health issue relating to a student-athlete due to the HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 (HIPAA). All inquiries must be made to Head Athletic Trainer Rod Moore.

Do not ask student-athletes to list or endorse products. Commercial photographers cannot provide student-athletes with photographs or slides. The media relations office offers a similar service for student-athletes to purchase photographs.

Student-athletes may not be used in advertisements or endorsements of products, including media-related publications or on radio.