Men's Tennis Claims Best of Valpo Athletics 2013-14 Victory

In a bracket which saw nearly 3,500 total votes cast over four rounds of voting, 16 of the top moments and achievements over the last year have been pared down to just one, as the men’s tennis victory over UIC at the Horizon League Championship has been tabbed the Best of Valpo Athletics for the 2013-2014 season.


Bowling, Men's Tennis Advance to Finals of Best of 2013-2014

Bowling and men's tennis both scored convincing wins in the semifinals of Valpo Athletics' Best of 2013-2014. The two programs will now meet in the Championship Round with the polls now open! Cast your vote to determine the winner of this inaugural contest!


Volleyball vs. Men's Tennis Rounds Out Best of 2013-2014 Final Four

Yesterday, we announced the first semifinal contest (Alec Peters vs. Bowling) in Valpo's Best of 2013-2014 Tournament. Today, we reveal the other semifinal matchup. Voting is now open!


Peters, Bowling Will Square Off in Best of 2013-2014 Semifinals

With exactly 900 ballots cast in last week's quarterfinal vote, Valpo's Best of 2013-2014 is down to four. Today we unveil the first of two semifinal matches in the accompanying video. Fans can begin casting their ballots now!


15 Crusaders Score HL All-Academic Spring Honors


Fifteen student-athletes across five sports were recognized by the league office Wednesday. Men's golf led the way for Valpo with four representatives, while baseball, and men's and women's outdoor track and field each boasted three.


First Round Results In; Quarterfinal Voting Open Now!

Like any good bracket, the first round of the Best of Valpo Athletics 2013-2014 bracket featured some tight battles and some potentially surprising victors. With over 300 votes cast, click inside to see the first-round winners as the 16 get cut down to 8, and cast your votes in the quarterfinal round now!


VUAA Hosting Event at White Sox-Mariners Game July 5

The Valparaiso University Alumni Association invites all alumni, as well as their families and friends, to U.S. Cellular Field on Saturday, July 5 at 1:10 p.m. as the Chicago White Sox host the Seattle Mariners, managed by former Crusader baseball standout Lloyd McClendon. Valparaiso men’s basketball head coach Bryce Drew will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game.


Best of Valpo Athletics: 2013-2014 Bracket Revealed

First-round matchups are now open for voting for the Best of Valpo Athletics for the 2013-2014 school year! Click into the story to see descriptions of all 16 nominees and scroll to the bottom of the page to vote and help narrow the top moments, performances and plays of the past year from 16 down to 1.


118 Valparaiso Student-Athletes Earn Spots on HL Academic Honor Roll

Valparaiso student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, as 118 Crusaders earned a spot on the Horizon League Spring 2014 Academic Honor Roll, as released today by the league office. The 118 honorees are the most the Crusaders have had in a single semester since joining the league.


Help Choose the Best of Valpo Athletics

Fans, over the next month, you'll have a chance to look back at some of the top moments, performances and plays from the last year and narrow the field, bracket-style, from 16 to 1 - choosing the Best of Valpo Athletics for the 2013-2014 school year! Round one matchups will start later this week.


Crusaders Lead Horizon League with 11 Perfect APR Scores

Volleyball, men's tennis, women's basketball, men's golf, women's swimming, women's indoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field, baseball, women's cross country, men's cross country, and women's tennis all recorded perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rates (APR) in the 2012-2013 academic year, the most of any current Horizon League institution.


Valpo Begins Construction on New Track and Field Facility

Construction has begun on Valparaiso University’s new track and field facility, as Valpo breaks ground on the eight-lane Warren G. Hoger Track at Brown Field, part of a wholesale reevaluation of the campus’ athletics and recreation facilities as outlined in the Campus Master Plan.


Six Valparaiso Athletic Programs Earn NCAA Recognition

Six athletic teams from Valparaiso University have received the NCAA Public Recognition Award for outstanding academic performance.


Inaugural Crusader Fund Coaches Classic Set for June 20

The Crusader Fund, in conjunction with the Athletics Department and Office of Alumni Relations, invites all fans to join Valpo head coaches in participating in the inaugural Crusader Fund Coaches Classic - a day of golf at the Course at Aberdeen capped with dinner at Strongbow Inn - on Friday, June 20.


Year-End Honors Presented at Valparaiso’s ARC Awards Sunday

Valparaiso University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced its year-end awards on Sunday evening at the sixth annual Athletic Recognition Ceremony (ARC) Awards.


Watch the ARC Awards Live Sunday Night!

Fans, for the first time, you can watch the Valparaiso athletic department's annual awards show, the ARC Awards, live online this Sunday evening! Streaming of the sixth annual ARC Awards begins Sunday night at 7:30 p.m.


Vote Today for the Performance of the Year!

Fans, the athletic department's sixth annual ARC Awards will be held on Sunday, May 4, and for the first time, you have a say in an award! Voting is open through Tuesday at noon for the Performance of the Year, so vote now, and then watch the ARC Awards Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. on the Horizon League Network!


Born to Run: One Year After the Boston Marathon

Valparaiso assistant women's basketball coach Katie Loosvelt was among the participants in the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon. On the anniversary of its running, she talked about the surreal experience - and how a late jolt of determination may have literally saved her life.


Going Bold: Jordyn Ryfiak's Story

Valpo's 4th annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser accumulated over $41,000 to fund research for cures for childhood cancers, a new university record. 80 heads were shaved in a half-hour, with over 100 heads shaved in total. The event was especially important to women's soccer player Jordyn Ryfiak. Click the video to find out why.


132 Valpo Student-Athletes Honored at Annual Honors Banquet

Valparaiso University awarded 132 student-athletes with Presidential Academic Honors while also handing out the Laurel Award at the 21st Annual Student-Athletes Academic Honors Banquet held on Sunday evening in the Christopher Center.


Football, Men’s Tennis Earn Prizes in Successful Athletics Alumni Challenge

As part of Valparaiso University’s “Proud to Be Valpo” Day of Giving last week, the athletics department held the first-ever Athletics Alumni Challenge, and the response was tremendous, as 325 former Valpo student-athletes donated upwards of $41,000 to the athletics department. The football and men’s tennis programs each won a $5,000 challenge grant, boasting the greatest number of alumni to make a gift and the highest percentage of alumni to make a gift, respectively.


St. Baldrick's Fundraiser Reaches New Heights

The Valparaiso men's soccer program's annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser reached new heights this year, raising nearly $45,000 to fund research for cures for childhood cancers. 80 heads were shaved in a 30-minute span, with over 100 heads shaved in total. Check out the video for a taste of the event.


Fourth Annual St. Baldrick's Day Coming Saturday

This year's St. Baldrick's Fundraiser is just two days away. With over $30,000 raised so far, the Valpo men's soccer program is more than 60% of the way to its goal of $50,000. Click on the video to hear part one of women's soccer player Jordyn Ryfiak's story.


Seven Crusaders Earn Winter Academic All-League Honors

Seven Valparaiso student-athletes earned spots on the Horizon League Winter Academic All-League teams, as announced by the league office this afternoon.


Emhardt, McShane Named Valparaiso Athletes of the Month for March

Men's tennis freshman Charlie Emhardt (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) and softball junior Tarah McShane (Streamwood, Ill./St. Edward Central Catholic) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of March.


Moore Receives Golden Pinnacle Award from GLATA

Longtime Valparaiso director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer Rod Moore, ATC was presented the Golden Pinnacle Award at the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA) annual meeting on Friday. The Golden Pinnacle Award, which recognizes those members who have provided outstanding leadership to GLATA, is the highest honor a member of GLATA can receive.


Wegehaupt, Taylor Named Valparaiso Athletes of the Month for February

Men's swimming senior Tate Wegehaupt (Tigard, Ore./Tigard) and women's track and field junior Jazmin Taylor (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of February.


Hall of Fame Class of 2014 To Be Inducted Saturday

Six individuals will be inducted into the Valparaiso Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday morning at the annual Hall of Fame banquet as the Class of 2014, the 17th class in Hall of Fame history. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the Crusaders' men's basketball game at 3 p.m. that afternoon.


Dority, Drozdowski Named Valparaiso Athletes of the Month for January

Men's basketball senior Lavonte Dority (Chicago, Ill./Foreman [USF]) and women's track and field senior Sarah Drozdowski (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of January.


117 Crusaders Earn Spots on HL Academic Honor Roll

Valparaiso student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom, as 117 Crusaders earned a spot on the Horizon League Fall 2013 Academic Honor Roll, as released today by the league office. The 117 honorees marked the most the Crusaders have had in a single semester since joining the league.


Crusaders Place Eight on Fall Academic All-League Squads

Valparaiso placed eight student-athletes across five sports on the Horizon League Fall Academic All-League teams, as announced by the league office this afternoon.


Dority, Segatto Named Valparaiso Athletes of the Month for December

Men's basketball senior Lavonte Dority (Chicago, Ill./Foreman [USF]) and women's swimming junior Flavia Segatto (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Charleow Flanigan) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of December.


Broekhoff Buzzer-Beater Caps Top Ten Moments of 2013

The #1 moment from the year in Valpo Athletics in 2013: Ryan Broekhoff's buzzer-beating 3-pointer to beat Green Bay in the Horizon League Championship semifinals! See all of the top 10 moments inside the story.


Crusaders Partner With ECAL

Crusader fans, you can now easily keep tabs on upcoming events for all the Valpo teams, as thanks to Valpo's partnership with ECAL, fans are able to download any or all of the Crusaders' schedules to their personal calendar program, their smart phone or tablet and even Facebook!


Valparaiso Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2014

Six individuals will be inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 22. Rachel Janssen, Brittany Malicoat , Amanda Meyer, Dave Newnam, Dr. Jon Steinbrecher and John Wolfenberg comprise the 17th class in Hall of Fame history.


Peters, Karungi Named November Athletes of the Month

Valparaiso men's basketball freshman Alec Peters (Washington, Ill./Washington) and women's basketball junior Sharon Karungi (Kampala, Uganda/ [Northern Oklahoma College]) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of November.


Baseball Heads to Dominican Republic - for Work and Play

Head coach Brian Schmack and his team begin a week-long trip to the Dominican Republic today. The journey includes community service time with local children at orphanage, games against Dominican & MLB farm teams.


Four Teams Honored at Championship Night

In addition to raising the basketball banners, director of athletics Mark LaBarbera presented rings to the baseball, softball, and men's golf Championship teams from 2012-2013 at the season opener versus Murray State.


Schorsch, Vanden Berg Named Athletes of the Month for October

Valparaiso men's tennis freshman Jeffrey Schorsch (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) and volleyball senior Ellen Vanden Berg (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute) have been named the Valparaiso athletic department's Athletes of the Month for the month of October.


The Reverend Returns to Sacred Grounds Wednesday

Now an assistant coach at Valparaiso, Roger Powell Jr. returns to Champaign Wednesday where he helped the Fighting Illini make history nine seasons ago. See what Powell Jr. had to say about his bittersweet return to Illinois, the evolution of his spiritual life, and his future in coaching.


Updated Strategic Plan Released Publicly

The Valparaiso Athletics five-year Strategic Plan, updated for the 2013-14 academic year, is now available for the public by viewing the attached PDF.


Richardson's Work Ethic Puts Her on the Fast Track

Junior Jessica Richardson's name is all over the women's cross-country record books. Her academic numbers are even more remarkable. Check that out along with her rigorous training routine in this week's special edition of Inside Valpo Athletics.


Crusaders To Raise Money as Part of Breast Cancer Awareness Activities

The Valparaiso University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will be raising money for the American Cancer Society at home events throughout the next couple weeks as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Week.


Gladney, Manski Named Athletes of the Month for September

The junior wide receiver and senior goalkeeper were selected as Student-Athletes of the Month for September. Gladney caught four touchdowns and recorded 437 receiving yards. Manski added four shutouts and 38 saves to an already prolific career.


Attention Students! Are You the Next Crusader Mascot?

Attention students! If you think you have what it takes to be the next Crusader, then this is your chance. Tryouts to be the Crusader Mascot will be on Thursday, Oct. 3, 6 - 8 p.m., in the Athletics-Recreation Center.


B1G Wins for Valpo Athletics

Trio of matchups against Big Ten teams last weekend for men's and women's soccer and volleyball result in historic victories; provide confidence for Crusaders moving forward


Valparaiso Announces Video Offerings for 2013-14 Season

An expanded Horizon League Network schedule and multiple weekly shows highlight the Valparaiso University athletics department video offerings for the upcoming 2013-14 season.


Huseman Joins Valpo Sports Radio Network

Valparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that David Huseman will join the Valpo Sports Radio Network as executive producer. Huseman will also join the voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, to provide color commentary for home football and men's basketball games.


Homer Drew Named Chair of the Crusader Fund for 2013-14

Valparaiso University director of athletics Mark LaBarbera and vice president for advancement Lisa Hollander proudly announce that associate athletic director Dr. Homer Drew will serve as the volunteer Chair of the Crusader Fund for the 2013-14 academic year.