President José D. Padilla, J.D. and the Valparaiso University Board of Directors have announced that the newly renovated academic suite in the Athletics-Recreation Center will be named the Mark LaBarbera Academic Success Center in recognition of LaBarbera, who is retiring on June 30 after 18 years as Valpo Director of Athletics. 

“Mark LaBarbera’s commitment to the academic success of our athletes is a big part of the legacy he leaves,” Padilla said. “We believe this was the most appropriate way to thank him for his many years of service to Valpo.”

Naming the space in LaBarbera’s honor is fitting as student-athletes have excelled in the classroom during his tenure. Valpo boasted 18 Academic All-Americans during LaBarbera’s time leading the department. 

“Thank you to the University’s Board of Directors and President Padilla for this honor; I am truly humbled by the gesture,” LaBarbera said. “At a time when the importance of the educational component of the student-athlete experience seems to be drowned out in public conversations by the talk of money, this is a high honor. I am proud of the academic performance of Valpo’s student-athletes during my time on campus and I am thrilled that I will continue to be associated with the Department’s continuing support of this important area.”

Numerous Valpo teams have been recognized by their respective coaches’ associations for their academic success on a regular basis during LaBarbera’s tenure. Several programs have ranked among the nation’s best in terms of academic performance, including men’s golf posting the best team grade point average in the nation in 2015-16. Most recently, Valpo led all Missouri Valley Conference institutions as the NCAA released its most recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) data.