The Office of Sports Media Relations is responsible for the day-to-day publicity efforts of Valparaiso University's 19 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 Valpo 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 notes, as well as compiling statistics and website 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.

Brandon Vickrey - Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications

Primary contact: Football, men's basketball, baseball, men's/women's golf, women's tennis, men's/women's track & field, men's/women's cross country

E-mail: Brandon.Vickrey@valpo.edu     Phone: 219-464-5396 (o)  

Aaron Leavitt - Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations

Primary contact: Volleyball, women's soccer, women's basketball, softball, bowling, men's/women's swimming

E-mail: Aaron.Leavitt@valpo.edu     Phone: 219-464-6953 (o)  219-476-6680 (c)

CREDENTIALS: Credentials for home games are provided to those members of the media approved by the media relations office who are covering the event in a full working capacity. Requests should be made by email or phone as far in advance as possible, with a minimum of 24 hours notice. 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 media parking for men's basketball and football games should be directed to Brandon Vickrey. For all other sports, parking is free and open. 

GAME SERVICES: Game notes, statistics, and play-by-play are provided to credentialed media. For wireless internet access, media members should use the valpo-guest network. Password information is available upon request. Light refreshments are available in the Media Room for basketball and in the press box for football. Pizza will be available for football games and food vouchers for men's and women's basketball. 

RADIO: The visiting team's "official" station, as designated by the visitors' Media Relations Director, will be permitted origination privileges. A courtesy Ethernet line is provided for football, basketball, baseball and volleyball. Additional radio broadcast requests will be considered on a game-by-game basis.

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 Athletics 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 Aaron Leavitt or Brandon Vickrey 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).