The Valparaiso University athletics department says goodbye today to senior associate director of athletics Stephen Anthony, who has served Valpo student-athletes for nearly 20 years as a coach and administrator, as he departs for an administrative role in the athletics department at Michigan State University.

“We are very appreciative for the many ways Stephen has served the student-athletes and coaches here at Valpo,” said director of athletics Mark LaBarbera. “He has succeeded at coaching young women in two sports, has succeeded in mentoring young coaches, and has succeeded in carefully managing departmental resources. His steady leadership and passion for success will be missed. We wish him all the best at Michigan State.”

Anthony arrived at Valpo in 1998 as the head coach for the women’s soccer program and spent 10 seasons leading the Crusader women’s soccer team. A three-time Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year, Anthony won 78 matches during his tenure. He guided Valpo to a pair of Mid-Con regular season titles, as well as the 2005 Mid-Con Tournament crown and the program’s first berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Anthony stepped away from coaching to move into an administrative role as associate director of athletics for business services in January of 2008. He would return to coaching for the 2009-10 season, however, as he helped to start the Valpo bowling program and led the Crusaders through their inaugural season of competition. Under his tutelage, Valpo finished its first season of competition with 68 victories and ended the year ranked 10^th nationally. His initial recruiting class helped form the foundation of a squad which would eventually reach the NCAA Tournament in 2012.

Anthony was promoted to his most recent title of senior associate director of athletics for finance and administration in October of 2016. He was responsible for the management of the athletics department’s business operations, including supervision of ticket operations, and was directly involved with the department’s long-range budgeting and capital project planning.

Anthony served as sport administrator for numerous Valpo teams during his tenure, including most recently the softball, women’s golf, women’s tennis and bowling programs. Outside of Valpo, Anthony has frequently worked with the NCAA as a site representative for NCAA soccer tournament matches.