The Valparaiso University women’s soccer program announced that former Wisconsin goalkeeper Jameson Kronser has joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant as the program heads into the 2017 season.

The Valparaiso University softball program has announced that Taylor Lawson (Tucson, Ariz./Sahuaro) has been granted a hardship waiver due to injury for the 2017 season. Lawson will return to the Crusaders for her additional season of athletic eligibility as a fifth-year senior in 2018.

Valparaiso University forward Alec Peters (Washington, Ill./Washington) was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft Thursday evening by the Phoenix Suns with the 54th overall pick.

Women student-athletes at Valparaiso University will benefit from an endowed scholarship fund established by Carolyn Schlie ’71 Femovich and Bob Femovich. They have committed $600,000 to create the Carolyn Schlie Femovich and Robert M. Femovich Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Valparaiso University softball head coach Kate Stake announced today that Monica Wright, the program’s pitching coach, has been promoted to associate head coach.

Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced that Valparaiso University has accepted an invitation to join the Summit League as an affiliate member in men’s tennis and men’s swimming beginning with the 2017-2018 academic and athletic year. Valparaiso was a founding member of the Summit League, then known as the Mid-Continent Conference, in 1982 and competed in the conference until 2007.

Former Valparaiso University men’s golfer Matt Ward has been selected as one of 31 members of the 2017-18 NCAA postgraduate internship class.

The Valparaiso University baseball program has announced dates for its annual Youth Camp, which will take place from July 17-19 at Emory G. Bauer Field.

The Valparaiso University men’s basketball program will have the opportunity to participate in a conference challenge series for the first time during the 2017-18 season, as the Crusaders will host Utah State on Tuesday, Nov. 28 as part of the Challenge Series between the Missouri Valley Conference and the Mountain West Conference.

Valparaiso University baseball freshman Jon Tieman (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Prairie Ridge) received a distinct honor on Wednesday as he was tabbed a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

The Valparaiso University women’s basketball team is set for its Elite Camp, which is slated to take place on Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27 at the Athletics-Recreation Center. Check in is at noon on Monday, with the camp slated to begin at 1 p.m. Checkout is at noon on Tuesday. The cost is $100 per camper. Spots are still available for the camp.

The Raise Your Sights award winners have been announced for the 2016-17 season. The honor is given annually to the best sport teams academically and is based on combined grade point average (GPA) from the current academic year. The award recognizes the top academic male and female team from each Horizon League institution.

The Valparaiso University softball team will be welcoming an All-American to the program this fall, as incoming junior pitcher Kelsie Packard was recently tabbed an NJCAA Division III All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association after helping to lead Rock Valley College to the 2017 national title.

Former football standout and Valparaiso Hall of Fame member Garry Puetz ('72) has once again graced the National Football Foundation's (NFF) ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Valparaiso University women’s golf team has announced the addition of incoming freshman Grace McMinn (Omaha, Neb. / Marian) for the 2017-2018 season. McMinn placed ninth in the 2016 Class A Nebraska State Finals and after finishing 22nd the previous season. She was a four-year varsity letter winner and three-time state qualifier as a team and individually.

Valparaiso University president Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., announced today that the University has accepted an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference on July 1, 2017. The Crusaders will begin competing for MVC championships in the 2017–2018 academic year.

The Valparaiso University football program has rounded out its 2017 recruiting class with the addition of 16 players, bringing the total number of incoming players to 48.

Valparaiso University men’s tennis seniors Jeffrey Schorsch and Charlie Emhardt walked off the court for the final time on Saturday evening with their heads held high.

After Thursday’s dramatic victory in the first round of the NCAA Doubles Tournament, Valparaiso University men’s tennis players Jeffrey Schorsch and Charlie Emhardt kept blood pressures at normal levels on Friday afternoon by cruising their way to a straight sets victory in the Round of 32 in Athens, Ga.

Valparaiso University football coach Dave Cecchini has announced the addition of Matt Ford to the team’s coaching staff for the 2017 season. Ford has assumed the role of tight ends coach for the Crusaders.