As the unmistakable sound of the Victory Bell cut the air outside of the Athletics-Recreation Center on Thursday afternoon, even the beaming sun overhead was not as bright as the smile radiating from the face of Charles Small.

The same look of pure joy that those on Valpo’s campus have grown accustomed to seeing from someone ringing the bell – whether it’s a newly-graduated alum or a student-athlete after a memorable victory – was worn by Small, who had just been officially introduced as the next Director of Athletics at Valparaiso University.

With his wife Celeste and his sons Dominic and Aiden at his side, Small’s first trip to the Victory Bell came at the end of a long day of introductions and media obligations. That point in time captured the energy and excitement surrounding the future of Valpo Athletics. And that relatively private moment came after a morning of public ones, as Small was introduced by President José D. Padilla at a press conference inside the ARC’s main arena.  

“Student-athletes are first and foremost in his mind,” Padilla said. “Regardless of whether they start or come off the bench, their development and welfare is his top priority. This man is a great colleague. He’s also an academic, a man of faith and a family man who will fit well at Valparaiso. He came highly recommended by one of the deans of athletic directors across the country, Jamie Pollard at Iowa State University.”

Pollard and several representatives from the Iowa State Athletics senior staff were in attendance for Thursday’s introduction. The event, which was emceed by longtime public address announcer John Bowker, also featured former Valpo Director of Athletics Dr. Bill Steinbrecher and current Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera. Representatives from the City of Valparaiso including Mayor Matt Murphy and Director of Development George Douglas were also on hand to help welcome Small.  

Other dignitaries in the audience included Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Jeff Jackson, Valpo Athletics Hall of Famer Carolyn Femovich of the Valpo Board of Directors and search committee chair Darron Farha.

“My family has given me a strong foundation in terms of my core values,” Small said. “When I think about love, empowerment, achievement and integrity, I try to live that out every day. The lessons I’ve learned throughout my career have really impacted my leadership approach. That approach is stewardship, strategy and success. Our strategy is about vision, alignment and execution. We will have clear priorities and goals. That is my leadership approach, and those are life lessons I’ve learned from great people in our industry.”

After the formal press conference, Small was available for one-on-one interviews with the numerous local media members who were in attendance. He then made an appearance at a welcome reception in Hilltop Gym, before his moment at the Victory Bell, where he and his family were all smiles for a photo shoot. After additional photos, Small recorded a special edition of AD’s Insight that will be distributed in the coming days. He is also scheduled to make several media and radio appearances next week.  

Click here for the press release announcing Charles Small as the next Valparaiso University Director of Athletics. For the introductory video, click here.