The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics has announced plans for a welcome back party for men’s basketball head coach Roger Powell Jr. during the regular-season opener vs. Trinity Christian on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

This game represents Powell’s first as a head coach and his first contest at Valpo in any capacity since March 22, 2016, when he was on staff as an assistant coach for a 60-44 win over Saint Mary’s in front of a record-setting sellout crowd of 5,444 to send Valpo to the final four of the Postseason NIT at Madison Square Garden.

The Nov. 6 welcome back party starts early as the Valpo FanZone, a pregame fan meetup for alumni and community members, will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. at Peddler’s Pizza Sidebar, located at 5 Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN, 46383. Tickets will cost $10 per person and will include pizza and one drink ticket.

Following the Valpo FanZone, the festivities will move to the Athletics-Recreation Center prior to the 7 p.m. tipoff. Roger Powell Jr. fatheads will be available for the first 1,000 fans. Everyone in attendance will receive free glowsticks. In addition, the first 100 fans to purchase a beer at the concession stand will receive a free Valpo koozie. A halftime contest will result in five fans receiving free concessions for the season.

Fans can use the following links to purchase their tickets for the pregame event and the game itself: Valpo FanZone and men’s basketball tickets. All tickets will be digital for the Valpo FanZone event. The pregame event is limited to 100 guests.