The Valparaiso men’s basketball team has spent plenty of time over the last two-plus months working hard on the court to blend in five newcomers with the eight returnees as the Crusaders prepare for the 2011-2012 season.  But at the same time, the Crusaders have taken time out to give back to the community, contributing more than 90 hours of community service since the start of the academic year.

Most recently, the Crusaders walked 2.5 miles as part of Northwest Indiana’s JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes, which was held in Highland on Sunday, Oct. 16.  The men’s basketball players and coaches joined 2,000 other people in helping to raise over $400,000 towards finding a cure for diabetes.  This was the third straight year that the Crusaders have participated in the NWI version of the JDRF walk.

Among other community service ventures was a trip by some of the Crusader players to Parkview Elementary School.  The players took time to talk to the youths and also spent time reading to the youngsters.

Valparaiso hits the hardwood for the first time this Saturday, as the Crusaders host Hillsdale in exhibition action at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets are available through the Valpo ticket office at 1-877-MY-VU-TIX or online at www.etix.com, or if you can’t make it to the game, you can follow a special live interactive chat on game night at http://bit.ly/tn8eSB.