4/27/2014
Inside Valpo Athletics: Spring Football Edition
Check out this week's edition of Inside Valpo Athletics as head coach Dave Cecchini, quarterback Scott Staal, running back Grayson Bastin, quarterback Ben Lehman, and running back Jake Hutson all reflect on Saturday's spring game and off-season practices.
4/26/2014
Gold's Goal Line Stand in Final Seconds Highlights Spring Scrimmage
Saturday saw another rite of spring come to Valpo as the 14th Annual Brown Gold game kicked off at Brown Field. With a new coaching staff in place, it gave fans a chance to see what could be an exciting team come early September.
4/25/2014
Football Set for Spring Scrimmage as 2014 Recruiting Class is Unveiled
Crusaders will play their annual spring Brown and Gold football game on Saturday morning, April 26 at Brown Field beginning at 11 a.m. The exhibition comes on the heels of head coach Dave Cecchini announcing a balanced 2014 recruiting class.
4/15/2014
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.
4/7/2014
Grask Inks Professional Contract in France
Senior Alex Grask (Naperville, Ill./Central) has signed a three-game contract with the Kangourous de Pessac. The Kangourous compete in France's Elite Division.
3/28/2014
Football's Spring Schedule Released
Head coach Dave Cecchini and his team begin formal practices Wednesday, April 2nd with the Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 26th. All spring practices will be open to the public.
2/27/2014
Meet and Greet with Dave Cecchini Scheduled for March 14th
Crusader fans and alumni are invited to join new head football Dave Cecchini on Friday, March 14th at Mattone Restaurant and Bar in LaGrange Park, Ill. Free appetizers will be provided as well as a cash bar. Reserve your spot today by contacting the Office of Alumni Relations at 219.464.5537!
2/5/2014
Football to Announce Commits This Afternoon
Follow @valpoufootball and head football coach Dave Cecchini (@DaveCecchini) on Twitter as the football program announces its future Crusaders beginning at 3 pm CT.
1/30/2014
2014 Football Schedule Released
Crusaders will tackle 12-game slate for first time in program history; homecoming set for Sat. Oct. 11th versus Missouri Baptist. Brown and Gold will open season at Western Illinois on Aug. 28th.
1/25/2014
Record 53 Crusaders Named to PFL Academic Honor Roll
Valparaiso University placed 53 members of its football program on the Pioneer Football League’s Academic Honor Roll for their work in the classroom during the Fall 2013 semester.
1/14/2014
Cecchini Announces Coaching Staff
Cecchini brings Miran, Giacalone, Stovall from Lehigh; chooses Moore from University of Chicago, retains Donovan, Snyder, Teegardin, Deutsch.
12/17/2013
Derbak to Participate in Saturday's FCS Senior Scout Bowl
Senior is headed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to take part in practices on Thursday and Friday before suiting up December 21st.
12/11/2013
5 Minutes with Head Coach Dave Cecchini
See what Coach Cecchini had to say in his first interview as head football coach of the Valparaiso Crusaders.
12/11/2013
Dave Cecchini Named Head Football Coach
Former offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Lehigh brings wealth of Division I coaching experience, success to Valparaiso; Cecchini coached Cardinals receiver Andre Roberts at The Citadel, Titans QB Ryan Fitzpatrick at Harvard.
12/4/2013
Green, Barkley Named to Academic All-PFL Teams
A day after being named Honorable Mention on the All-PFL Team, pair are elected to Academic All-PFL Team. Both mechanical engineering majors, Green is First Team member, Barkley Second Team selection.
12/3/2013
Crusaders Land Five on All-PFL Team
Barkley, Derbak, Guilford, Green, Kuramata all receive Honorable Mention nods on the 2013 All-Pioneer Football League Team.
11/19/2013
Football Names Program Award Winners
Acting head coach Mike Gravier announced Tanner Kuramata as the team's Offensive MVP, sophomore Alex Green as Defensive MVP for 2013, a season that saw Eric Hoffman become Valpo's career passing leader.
11/16/2013
Football Season Ends with Loss to Dayton
Eleven seniors played their final game in front of 1,600-plus fans Saturday. QB Eric Hoffman capped off a record-setting season, but two defensive TDs and a 100-yard kickoff return fueled Dayton 45-20 over the Crusaders at Brown Field.
11/15/2013
Eleven Seniors to be Recognized Saturday
As Valparaiso bids farewell to nearly a dozen seniors, the school looks back on their accomplishments - both on and off the field.
11/15/2013
Valpo Hosts Dayton Saturday on Senior Day
The Crusaders close out the 2013 season Saturday afternoon at Brown Field. Eleven seniors will be honored prior to the game as they take the field for the final time wearing the Brown and Gold.
11/10/2013
Carlson Relieved of Duties as Head Coach of Valparaiso Football Program
Valparaiso director of athletics Mark LaBarbera announced today that Dale Carlson has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Valparaiso University football program, effective immediately.
11/9/2013
Crusaders Fall to Bulldogs in Indy
Bulldogs recorded five touchdown drives of 50+ yards in first half en route to a 72-12 win over Valpo in a battle for the Hoosier Helmet. For the second straight week, Hoffman and Taibi connected for an 86-yard touchdown pass.
11/6/2013
Hoosier Helmet Up for Grabs Saturday in Indianapolis
Saturday will mark the 72nd meeting between Valpo and Butler on the football field. The Crusaders look to spoil their instate rivals' aspirations of a PFL Championship in the Brown and Gold's final road game of the 2013 season.
11/4/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 11
Play-by-play man Todd Ickow spoke with head football coach Dale Carlson on Monday afternoon regarding Butler QB Matt Lancaster, Crusader running back Jabril Baker's effort against San Diego, and the need to remain disciplined against the first-place Bulldogs in Indianapolis this Saturday.
11/2/2013
Toreros Cruise Past Crusaders
San Diego scores 35 points in second half to down Valpo 58-14 at Brown Field Saturday.
11/1/2013
Crusaders to Challenge San Diego Saturday on Military Appreciation Day
The Toreros (5-3, 4-1 PFL) enter Saturday's game in a four-way tie for first-place in the Pioneer Football League. Valpo looks to win its second game of the season in a noon kickoff at Brown Field.
10/28/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 10
The Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, talked with head football coach Dale Carlson in this week's installment of the Valpo Football Preview. The two discussed San Diego QB Mason Mills, defending the pass against the Toreros, and the Crusaders' improved defense.
10/26/2013
Fourth Quarter Lead Evaporates as Drake Pushes Past Crusaders
Bulldogs score 16 points in four-and-a-half minute span in the final quarter of Saturday's game at Drake Stadium to overtake Valpo 23-10.
10/24/2013
Crusaders and Bulldogs Duel in Des Moines Saturday
Valpo will make the trek across I-80 this weekend as it travels to Des Moines, Iowa for a Saturday tilt with the Drake Bulldogs. The Brown and Gold are seeking their first ever win at historic Drake Stadium.
10/21/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 9
The Voice of the Crusaders, Todd Ickow, chatted with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday afternoon. The two discussed the Drake Bulldogs, red zone opportunities, and an increased number of takeaways.
10/19/2013
Morehead State Defeats Crusaders 42-28
Valpo led 28-19 at the break, but Eagles stormed back and scored 23 unanswered points in second half. The Crusaders fell to 1-6 on the season and 1-3 in the PFL.
10/17/2013
Crusaders Host Family Weekend as Morehead State Comes to Town
The Morehead State Eagles ride in to Valparaiso on a two-game winning streak. The Crusaders are looking for back-to-back home wins after knocking off Campbell in Week 5 at Brown Field.
10/14/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 8
Play-by-play man Todd Ickow caught up with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday. The two discussed Morehead State's QB strategy, Valpo's front seven, and protecting quarterback Eric Hoffman.
10/12/2013
Mercer Downs Crusaders 35-21
Tanner Kuramata had nine receptions for 170 yards including two TD catches, but Mercer QB John Russ single-handedly manufactured four touchdowns in the Bears win at Anderson Field in Macon, Georgia.
10/10/2013
Crusaders Travel to Georgia This Weekend for PFL Tilt with Mercer
Valparaiso (1-4, 1-1 PFL) and Mercer (4-1, 1-1 PFL) collide for the first time ever on the football field Saturday. The Crusaders aim to get on the right side of the .500 mark in PFL play while the Bears are in their first season of football since 1941.
10/7/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 7
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow talked about Mercer, what the Crusaders need to do to be successful, and running back Brandon Hall with Dale Carlson Monday in this week's installment of the Valpo Football Preview.
10/5/2013
Marist Jumps Out to Early Lead, Controls Second Half in 37-0 Win over Valpo
Red Foxes score a pair of touchdowns in first six minutes, retain possession of ball for over 22 of final 30 minutes in a 37-0 win over the Crusaders. Alex Green, Brandon Doepke, and John Guilford all record double-digit tackles in Valpo's first PFL loss of 2013.
10/3/2013
Crusaders Head East Looking to Build on Homecoming Win
The roles reverse this Saturday as Valpo becomes homecoming guests instead of homecoming hosts. The Marist Red Foxes welcome the Crusaders to Poughkeepsie, New York in a PFL showdown between two 1-0 teams.
10/2/2013
Pair of Valpo Seniors Receive National Attention
Patrick Derbak receives invitation to the PFL Senior Scout Bowl in Myrtle Beach in December; Alex Grask named semifinalist for NFF Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.
10/2/2013
Quarterback Eric Hoffman Joins Valpo All-Access
Take a look inside the huddle as Crusader quarterback Eric Hoffman straps on the Crusader Cam after he chats with Chris Bradley on Valpo All-Access.
10/1/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 6
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow chats with head football coach Dale Carlson about Marist quarterback Chuckie Looney, the Red Foxes' defense, and what the Crusader offense needs to do to be successful Saturday in Poughkeepsie.
9/28/2013
Crusaders Stand Their Ground in Thrilling 49-42 OT Win
Up a score in overtime, the Crusader defense stuffed a Campbell 4th down attempt from the one-yard line to give the Brown and Gold their first win in a PFL opener since 2006.
9/27/2013
Events Surround Homecoming Football Game on Saturday
As part of the Homecoming festivities this weekend, a number of events will take place in and around the Valparaiso homecoming football game against Campbell, slated for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
9/26/2013
Homecoming Date with Campbell Signals Start of PFL Play
With the out-of-conference portion of the schedule complete, Valpo and Campbell will tangle Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first full week of Pioneer Football League play. Head coach Dale Carlson and his staff will be participating in the Coach To Cure MD campaign, a program focused on eliminating Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne MD is the most common fatal genetic disorder during childhood.
9/24/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 5
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow caught up with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday. The two discussed the bye week, Campbell's two-QB system, and Valpo running back Jake Hutson's status for Saturday.
9/23/2013
Crusader Coaches to Take Part in Coach To Cure MD
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder affecting children. This Saturday Valparaiso football coaches will be participating in the Coach To Cure MD program. A $5 donation can be made by texting the word "CURE" to 90999.
9/14/2013
Hoffman's Record Setting Day Not Enough in 36-34 Loss to William Jewell
Eric Hoffman shatters David Macchi's record for passing yards in a game, breaks own record for completions. Quarterback finishes 36 of 55 for 495 yards on the afternoon, but Crusaders allow five touchdowns and a late field goal to negate a 21-point fourth quarter comeback attempt.
9/13/2013
Valpo Welcomes William Jewell to Brown Field Saturday
Crusader football will be participating in the Spread the Love campaign at Saturday's game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm and those attending are asked to bring a jar of peanut butter to help feed the hungry in local Lake and Porter counties. This week's game is the first of four that will feature free video streaming on valpoathletics.com.
9/11/2013
Dale Carlson Joins the Valpo Coaches Show
Head football coach Dale Carlson joins the Valpo Coaches Show as the Crusaders prepare for their first home game of the season Saturday versus William Jewell.
9/9/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 3
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow chatted with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday afternoon. See what Carlson had to say about Saturday's home opener versus William Jewell, improved special teams play, and more.
9/7/2013
Crusaders Fall on Late Field Goal
The Valparaiso football team entered the fourth quarter at Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) with a 23-18 advantage on Saturday, but the Pumas were able to put up 16 points in the quarter, including the eventual game-winning field goal with 4:51 to play, and a late Crusader fourth-down attempt came up short as Valpo fell by a 34-31 final.
9/5/2013
Crusaders Face Familiar Foe in Week 2 Matchup
Valpo and Saint Joseph's clash for the 65th time in school history this weekend. A year ago, Saint Joseph's marched 93 yards in the waning moments of Valpo's season opener to steal a 36-34 victory. The Crusaders will seek revenge in the Pumas' 2013 debut on Saturday.
9/2/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 2
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow caught up with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday afternoon. See what Carlson had to say about Saint Joseph's key returners, limiting the big plays, and the kicking situation.
8/29/2013
Crusaders Drop Season Opener at North Dakota
Ben Lehman connected with Fred Gladney for a snazzy touchdown in the third quarter, but it was too little too late as North Dakota prevailed 69-10 over the Brown and Gold in Grand Forks.
8/27/2013
Valpo Hits the Road for Showdown with North Dakota
After three and a half weeks of training camp, the Brown and Gold will get their first regular season test against North Dakota Thursday evening. The Crusaders bring a ripe squad into Grand Forks for its season opener inside the Alerus Center.
8/27/2013
Valpo Football Preview: Week 1
Play-by-play announcer Todd Ickow chatted with head football coach Dale Carlson Monday afternoon. See what the two had to say about the Brown and Gold game, a more mature Crusader roster, and what Valpo can expect from North Dakota in Week 1.
8/21/2013
What You Need to Know - Valpo Football
Valpo Athletics was on hand as the team held its Media Day Tuesday. Take a look as we caught up with Coach Carlson and a few of the 2013 Crusaders as they prepare for North Dakota - and beyond.
8/17/2013
Brown vs. Gold Game a Success
Both rookies and veterans made their case for starting assignments. Head coach Dale Carlson cited "camaraderie" as an important byproduct in Saturday's scrimmage.
8/15/2013
Bailey, Teegardin Get Mic'd Up for Inside Valpo Athletics
Get a glimpse of a practice in the life of Pass Game Coordinator Alex Bailey and Special Teams Coordinator Kasey Teegardin in this week's edition of Inside Valpo Athletics.
8/13/2013
Carlson, Crusaders Prep for Brown and Gold Game
Preseason scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m at Brown Field. The intra-squad game is open to the public and admission is free.
8/9/2013
Dale Carlson Joins Inside Valpo Athletics
Listen in as head football coach Dale Carlson runs a practice during training camp this past week. The Crusaders' skipper gets mic'd up in this Thursday's edition of Inside Valpo Athletics.
8/5/2013
Crusaders Take to Brown Field for First Time in 2013 Season
Carlson happy with conditioning results, cites a "high level of confidence" as training camp begins for the Crusaders.
8/1/2013
As Calendar Turns, Focus Shifts to Gridiron
Training camp opens this weekend as head coach Dale Carlson and his staff prepare for a challenging PFL, non-conference schedule.
7/30/2013
Valparaiso Occupies Tenth Spot in Preseason Pioneer Football League Poll
Crusaders chosen ahead of Mercer and Stetson; San Diego picked to win PFL.
7/26/2013
Valpo Football Adds Three Assistants to Coaching Staff
Valparaiso football head coach Dale Carlson announced today the addition of three assistants to the Crusader coaching staff for the 2013 campaign. John Snyder, who most recently was head coach at Chesterton H.S. and returns for his second stint as a member of the Valpo staff, will coach the running backs, while Kenton Evans will coach the quarterbacks and Eric Deutsch will assist in coaching the defensive line.
7/17/2013
Hutson, Derbak Earn Preseason All-PFL Accolades
A pair of Valparaiso football players earned preseason Second Team All-Pioneer Football League accolades from Phil Steele's College Football Preview as the publication unveiled its preseason selections this week. Senior linebacker Pat Derbak (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) was a Second Team choice on defense, while sophomore running back Jake Hutson (Blanchard, Mich./Montabella) earned the Second Team nod both on offense and at kick returner.
7/9/2013
Hutson Named to CFPA All-Purpose Watch List
Valparaiso sophomore running back Jake Hutson (Blanchard, Mich./Montabella) is among 30 players nationwide who have been named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) preseason watch list for its FCS All-Purpose Performer of the Year award.
