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Exciting news and well past due!

http://valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2019-20/19655/bauer-field-renovation-off-to-strong-start/

It would seem so.  Both sports sell tickets for $10 so there is no inherent advantage to one being free and the other not. 

I just checked the attendance for the just concluded Volleyball season and compared it to last year's Women's basketball attendance.  What I found was that 4,173 people attended Volleyball matches and 7,093 folks saw a Women's game last year.  The difference is all about the number of games played with Volleyball hosting 9 and WB hosting 16.

On AVERAGE, Volleyball drew better at 464 people per match versus 443 for Women's Basketball. 

I enjoy both and if you haven't had the chance to watch Volleyball I would encourage you to do so.  It is fast, exciting and, we have a pretty good team!

The lead fund raiser for Valpo athletics has left.  He worked at Valpo for 6 years.  Perhaps frustration with failing to get it done was getting to him or perhaps getting back to a Catholic school (he is a graduate of Notre Dame) made a difference.  I'll miss him.  A really good guy.

https://ndsmcobserver.com/2019/08/john-kuka-named-as-holy-cross-vice-president-for-advancement-athletics/

Have you all noticed how many posts/interviews etc are now sponsored?  Examples:  Valpo Football Weekly is now sponsored by Regional Credit Union.  Or the "Play of the Week" is now sponsored by US Federal Credit Union.

Also see a couple of new banners going across the Athletic Website, including Tire Barn and Hungry Howie's.

This is the work of David Kay, the relatively new General Manager of Valpo Athletics Sponsorships.

I expect you will be seeing a lot more corporate sponsorship stuff in the ARC and perhaps also at Brown Field.  Money Money Money!!!

[Valpo athletes come from 32 states and 17 foreign countries]

As the athletic year gets underway (the men's soccer team plays an exhibition tonight) I decided to look at the rosters to see where all the athletes come from.  To my astonishment, just Valpo athletes come from 32 states and 17 foreign countries[/size]!!!

The men's soccer team has players from 9 states and 9 foreign countries!!!!!!

That is amazing recruiting!!  I guess the University is willing to put up the money for travel to remote locations!  Great stuff!!

We are underway!!  GO VALPO!!

Pray tell, what the heck is a Esport? 

http://valpoathletics.com/athletics/news/2018-19/19142/valparaiso-university-to-launch-esports-program/

A beginner's Guide:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/guides/esports-beginners-guide/

I think it is really great that the Athletic Department puts on a great show honoring the athletes and athletic performances of the past year.  BUT, IT WAS A TERRIBLE, AWFUL, EMBARRASSING, DREADFUL athletic year.

Let's look back for a moment.  I won't even bother with track or swimming, we all understand their role at Valpo, but let's do look at the key sports including Football, Men's and Women's Soccer, Men's and Women's Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, Softball and Men's and Women's Tennis.

So here we go:

Football--2-9 finish:Tied for second last
Men's Soccer--5-8-4: 3rd out of seven-------------
Women's Soccer--5-8-3: Tied for second last
Men's Basketball--15-18: Tied for second last
Women's Basketball--8-24: Second last.
Volleyball--27-11: 4th out of 10-------------
Baseball--Currently 10-31 in Last place.
Softball--Currently  15-30 in Last Place
Men's Tennis--14-5: Finished 3rd-----------
Women's Tennis--3-17: Finished--Last

So of the 10 sports, we had TWO team with a winning record, and three teams either in last place or finished in last place with four more teams finishing in second last.  Two teams had good, not great years and represented Valpo at an acceptable level.

This is as bad an athletic year as I can recall.  We are WAY over our heads in The Valley.  If this continues, heads need to roll or we need to go back to the Horizon.

And maybe part of the anwser on the possible transfer.  Just saw this posted by VUTV:

BREAKING NEWS FROM THE 15 AT 5 NEWSROOM: 4 Students (including 2 Men's Basketball players) arrested and booked in the Porter County Jail on Drug Charges. Find out more information this evening on 15 News at 5.

So we know there has been some concern revolving around financial issues at Valpo, and we also are aware of similar if not much worse issues at Southern Illinois.  Now comes word of serious issues at Wright State and an on-going strike by faculty.  Recall that Wright State's president is a Valpo grad.

Here is the story:

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/wright-state-cancels-some-classes-for-semester-faculty-strike-continues/k7zRnG0LIM6yc6FQhpXX2O/

This is indicative of a broad problem facing universities across the country as they face declining numbers, as well as more demands from faculty and prospective athletes and students in general.  Valpo is very wise in being proactive in this regard.

The troubles at Wright State continue to show that being a state school doesn't guarantee your viability.  They have 12,000 students and an endowment of only 84 million.

Just saw that Eddie Glaude Jr. is going to be this year's MLK Jr. Celebration Speaker.  For those of you who might be "Morning Joe" or "11th Hour" viewers, Eddie is a regular contributor.  He is a Princeton Professor.

Last year had Cornel West as the speaker.  These guys are powerful speakers and well known throughout most of the world.  Whether or not you agree with their viewpoints, the fact is that it is very impressive that Valpo can attract these people as keynote speakers.  I wonder what their speaking fee might be!

https://www.valpo.edu/news/2018/12/11/valpo-announces-eddie-s-glaude-jr-ph-d-as-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-convocation-speaker/

Now that football and volleyball have wrapped up their home slates, I thought it would be interesting to see how many fans came to games and what revenue was generated by same.  Obviously, I don't have a clue on concession revenues and am guessing about how many fans actually paid to get in.

So football drew 11,264 fans over five games for an average of 2253 with a high of 4605 for Homecoming and a low last Saturday of 1150.  If you assume 75% were paying ticket buyers, that means football generated $84,480 at $10 per ticket.

Volleyball drew 6,306 fans over 12 dates for an average of 526 with a high of 824 and a low of 189.  Again, assuming a 75% buy rate, volleyball produced $47,295 of ticket revenue.

Nothing profound here, just some interesting stats (for me!)

What the heck is going on??  This from the Chicago Tribune:

Valparaiso University recorded eight rapes in 2017, a report shows. Six of those occurred on campus in residential facilities, according to a report. There were three rapes reported in 2016 and two in 2015, the report shows.

"Our numbers, they fluctuate every year. They change every year. We're really proactive on this campus with this topic," Valparaiso Police Chief Becky Walkowiak said.

Walkowiak and Assistant Chief Charles Garber said they think the slight increase in 2017 is partly due to sexual assaults being reported more.

"I think the whole country is doing a better job educating people, to bring awareness," Garber said. "I think now when victims talk to people, in general, they say hey, report it."

As this awareness grows, numbers may increase, but, hopefully, those will decrease one day, Garber said.

Valparaiso University had one fondling, one burglary, four dating violence and eight stalking cases in 2017, according to the report.

The university also reported 166 liquor law violations, 26 drug abuse violations and one weapon violation, the report shows.

Valpo has now won the first individual or team championship.  Congrats to Jelena, The Ladies individual Conference Tennis Champion!

http://valpoathletics.com/wtennis/news/2018-19/18495/vujanic-captures-missouri-valley-conference-title-at-no-1-singles/

The Valpo sports season that is!  Women's Soccer versus Western Michigan today at 4!  Wow!  What happened to the summer!

Just saw this article about Michael Joseph, who had been Vice President for Enrollment Management at Valpo, now taking a similar spot at a school called Columbia College Chicago.

Is would seem a lateral move at best.  Why the change?  I always wondered about his selection to begin with as he is a Catholic, having come from Detroit Mercy, trying to attract among others, Lutheran kids.  Wonder whose next?  Are there disappointing numbers?

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/campus/article_c4d0c2e4-9511-11e8-915f-972daa018cdf.html

Just saw this!  Now what will the Board decide to do with all that land! Murfreesboro is about 25 miles Southeast of Nashville.

https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2018/06/22/mtsu-talks-valparaiso-university-move-law-school-murfreesboro/726670002/

The Rev. David Beckmann has been named as Commencement speaker.  A very interesting person to be sure.

https://www.valpo.edu/news/2018/04/30/may-commencement-speaker/

As many of you know, Valpo has one of the very best Meteorology programs in the country with graduates like Ginger Zee and in Chicago, Larry Mowry.  I came across this tv broadcast, detailing the program.  A good watch!

https://www.abc57.com/news/inside-the-storm-taking-the-classroom-to-tornado-alley

Found this article from the Butler student newspaper which was written by parents of a daughter who was assaulted on campus.  Apparently it is a growing problem. Valpo is mentioned and although the number is lower it is still a big concern as well it should be.

https://thebutlercollegian.com/?p=31947

Fantastic win for the program!!  Butler had 11 R-Srs and an addtional 5 Seniors on their roster.  After their very successful season, on Senior Day and their Senior's last game, all the sweeter!  The season is now a HUGE success!!



Coach C a lock for Coach of the Year!!

Just looked at the Valpo athletic site and apparently video is now ready to go as tonight's home Volleyball and tomorrow's home football game both have video links!!  It will be great to see football again!   

[UPDATE: Check your ticket! Ticket for $25.5M Hoosier Lotto jackpot sold in ValparaisoVALPARAISO — The winning ticket for Saturday's *$25.5 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot was sold here. That precious ticket purchased at the BP gas station at 1501 N. Calumet Ave. matched all six numbers for Oct. 14 — 8-9-16-20-26-30. The odds of doing so are 1 in 9,366,819.The winner has not yet come forward, Hoosier Lottery spokesman Dennis Rosebrough said Monday afternoon.Rosebrough suggested the ticket holder first put the ticket in a secure place, then consider meeting with a financial adviser before contacting the Hoosier Lottery to make arrangements to claim the prize.With an appointment in place, Rosebrough said, the money could be available within 24 hours via electronic transfer into a brokerage or bank account of the winner's choice.The Hoosier Lotto jackpot was the highest since June 19, 2015, when a ticket worth $18.7 million was sold at the Red Carpet Smoke Shop in Chesterton.]

Who of course will be the lead donor for the Rec Center!!

UPDATE: Check your ticket! Ticket for $25.5M Hoosier Lotto jackpot sold in Valparaiso
VALPARAISO — The winning ticket for Saturday's *$25.5 million Hoosier Lotto jackpot was sold here.

That precious ticket purchased at the BP gas station at 1501 N. Calumet Ave. matched all six numbers for Oct. 14 — 8-9-16-20-26-30. The odds of doing so are 1 in 9,366,819.

The winner has not yet come forward, Hoosier Lottery spokesman Dennis Rosebrough said Monday afternoon.

Rosebrough suggested the ticket holder first put the ticket in a secure place, then consider meeting with a financial adviser before contacting the Hoosier Lottery to make arrangements to claim the prize.

With an appointment in place, Rosebrough said, the money could be available within 24 hours via electronic transfer into a brokerage or bank account of the winner's choice.

The Hoosier Lotto jackpot was the highest since June 19, 2015, when a ticket worth $18.7 million was sold at the Red Carpet Smoke Shop in Chesterton.

So coaches polls are out for five sports including Men's and Women's Soccer, Volleyball and Men's and Women's Cross Country.  Valpo hasn't been picked in the top half of any of these and dead last in one.

Here are the results:

Men's Soccer:  6th of 7

Women's Soccer:  Tied 5th of 8

Volleyball:  7 of 10

Men's Cross Country: 8 of 9

Women's Cross Country:  10 of 10

I'm sure some of this is due to the fact that we are a total unknown.  I sure expect our Soccer programs and Volleyball team to be top half finishers.  We'll see...

[10 foreign countries and 8 different states!]

The 2017-2018 soccer roster was just released and WOW  , it is amazing!!!

The team is comprised of players from 10 foreign countries and 8 different states!  Let's hope they can get it together and win a conference title!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/msoccer/roster/#.WYTNA4jyvIU

So I settled in yesterday afternoon to watch the Women's US Open Golf Championship and found out that it is misnamed.  Clearly it should be the South Korean Women's Open Golf Championship, held in the United States.

Women's golf has really good players, most of whom have names which are difficult to pronounce.  Where are the US players?

Yesterday there were 62 players who made the cut. 8 of the top 10 finishers were Korean,12 of the top 20 and 15 of 62 players.

At the same time the top US player finished tied for 11th and there were 20 of the 62 players from the US.

In the World Rankings 5 of the top 10 are from Korea and only 1 from the US. 

You wonder why women's golf viewership is down.   

I've been on an assignment in Knoxville for the past week and discovered that The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is situated right next to my hotel.  A very impressive building with a 20' diameter basketball sticking out of the roof.

http://www.wbhof.com/

It is a sizable structure which surely cost millions to construct.

A busy place, every time I drive by there has to be 3 or 4 cars in the parking lot.

Very interesting piece posted on the athletics site.  Sounds like they will be doing some extensive work introducing the conference to fans.  It will be great to hear the coaches take on the various sports.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/news/articles/2017-18/17459/valpo-joins-the-missouri-valley-conference/#.WVeOwIgrLIU

OMG.  The sticker price to attend Valpo has just past $50,000 at $50,160  for the 2017-2018 year.  They go on to say that the typical student gets around $30,000 in aid but that has to include a bunch of loans.  Now you can get a handle on why the endowment is so critical to help families afford this great place.

http://www.valpo.edu/student-financial-services/what-to-expect/tuition-fees/

This obviously covers all sports but as basketball is the lead sport it would seem appropriate to post this here.

This is UPDATED from the document drawn in 2012 and specifically covers the period 2017-2022.  Completed items have been removed.  I found a few things of interest, listed below.  Here is the entire document:

http://cdn.streamlinetechnologies.com/valpoathletics/25DB7CED-4D9B-4222-9BBD-C8C98E935FD0/ValparaisoAthleticsStrategicPlan-2016-17.pdf

Action step 2.B.i: Determine the number and costs of the required additional
scholarships at each level.
Action step 2.B.ii Develop funding strategy, in consultation with Vice-President for
Enrollment Management, for the additional scholarships at each level.
Action step 2.B.iii: In conjunction with the University's current fundraising campaign,
implement a program to grow private support to endow scholarship costs.

Strategy 2.C: Improve Athletics facilities in accordance with the University's strategic goal 3.4:
Action Step 2.C.i: Develop program and preliminary design for a new Recreation Center
and Athletic Field on the former Porter Hospital property.
Action Step 2.C.ii: Develop and execute a funding model to construct the new
Recreation Center and Athletic Field.
Action Step 2.C.iii: Identify and prioritize additional investments in athletics facilities
that will assist in meeting Objective 3.4 of the current University Strategic Plan
Action step 2.C.iv: Develop and execute a funding model to construct those facilities.

Strategy 4.D: Develop and implement a comprehensive civic engagement/community outreach
plan.
Action Step 4.D.i: Utilizing University and departmental resources, develop an
appropriate staffing model to support the plan.
Action Step 4.D.ii: Develop relationships with not for profits in the community and define the position.

Action Step 6.A.iv: Expand the corporate partners program; explore opportunities for
renewable naming rights.

Strategy 6.F: Compensate coaches/staff at or above the median level of compensation among
peer institutions.
Action Step 6.F.i: Examine benchmark data on coach and staff salaries at
comparable/peer institutions.

So I've highlited a few things as noted.  Specifically that we obviously still need money to get to the full compliment of scholarships, that there will be a plan for the Porter County Hospital site together with a funding model, that there will be/is a plan to reach out to the community including possible naming rights and finally that the University is committed to keeping salaries on par with our peers in spite of the fact that The Valley clearly are paying their coaches/staff more than the Horizon.

Now is the time to put your money where your complaints have been.  The Helges are MATCHING every donation 1 for 1 and 2 for 1 on contributions over $1000.  Designate it for Men's basketball or whatever.  If you want, limit to only being spent on ARC improvements.  Pretty sure you can do that.  The Helges have designated $2 million for these matches!!!

Waters out after 11 years.

http://www.csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2016-17/releases/20170307oyabwq

Robert Rucker, Indiana Supreme Court Justice since 1999 is set to retire.  No doubt he is one of the most respected Valpo Law graduates.

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/rucker-to-retire-from-indiana-supreme-court/article_e1374c54-6e72-56a2-b47a-544625236aae.html#utm_source=nwitimes.com&utm_campaign=%2Femail-updates%2Fbreaking%2F&utm_medium=email&utm_content=E0F70624F98C80330FDC36F64F3768B2AE53C8F2

Coach Dorow to be out indefinitely.  Doctors have advised her to get the surgery done now as excessive head snaps based on her teams turnovers would only make the condition worse.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/wbasketball/news/2016-17/16019/dorow-to-undergo-neck-surgery/#.WHQ_NRsrLIU

[$1 million]

Some have lamented the fact that the current fund raising drive hold no promise for athletics per se.  I looked at the Forever Valpo site and found a couple of things that might be or possibly should be encouraging as follows:

First, of the $250 million goals, $1 million has been raised and completed as it is designated for the new track.

Second, under Scholarship to Support Students of Promise, $850,000 is targeted toward "Named Division 1 Athletic Scholarship".

Third, under "Annual Giving Priorities" $25,000,000 is the target to support both The Valpo fund and The Crusader Fund.

So without specifics, this includes $26,850,000 out of $250,000,000 which could have a positive impact on athletics.  I understand, this is NOT a dedicated fund toward ARC improvements but, it is a step in a positive direction for a university with a woefully inadequate endowment as compared to our primary competition.

So our non-scholarship team representing the PFL is San Diego.  Tonight they face Cal Poly, a team that beat them in the second game of the season, 38-16.  So tonight, San Diego went to their place, playing mid-western mud, and beat them 35-21!!!  Probably the only non-scholarship team to ever advance.  Cal State Poly finished fourth in the Big Sky, a conference where Montana (Valpo's next opponent) finished 8th.

San Diego looked very good but now has to go the the North Dakota State (five time National Championship team) Dome.  Good luck to them!!

As an aside, I sure wish the FBS could get to a legit playoff system like FCS.  Even if they went to 8 it would eliminate all the debate about to happen.

So during discussions about different games the red shirt question has come up.  Specifically, some think that red shirting a player at a place like Valpo is ineffective as kids aren't likely to hang around for a fifth year with costs being what they are. I suspect that discussions about planning goes on before electing to red-shirt, otherwise why do it?

It is a very good question.  I did a little checking with rosters of similar schools (private, similar costs) and found that these schools have several players listed as RSr., as follows:

Dayton    15
Campbell 15
Drake      10
Butler       8
San Diego 4
Marist       4

Obviously it is a very good thing to have a fifth year player on the field with more maturity and experience versus a 18 year old freshman.  If we can get our RJrs. to return next year (10 of them) we should be a pretty good team.

In my mind, this is the season to produce championships in these two sports.  We haven't had one from either since joining the Horizon League.

Volleyball is picked 2nd in spite of having five seniors and only one freshman.  Last year they had one senior and four freshman.

Men's soccer has under achieves for a few years now.  They are picked 4th in spite of having 14 seniors  Last year they had three.

So there should be no excuses, plenty of experience and senior leadership.  It is GO TIME!!!!

Now that classes have started I thought I would post what has been published in the papers.

It appears there are 1075 new students which includes freshman and transfers.  No breakdown was given.  It also said there were 104 new law students and 200 new grad students.  The freshman class comes from 500 different cities and 9 different countries. I had been told previously that the freshman include 18% legacy.

I'm always amazed at the incredible draw which Valpo possesses. Just our athletes come from 29 different states and 10 foreign countries.

For teaching his young men how to behave and honor our military!

http://awm.com/when-they-disrespected-the-national-anthem-this-coach-teaches-them-a-lesson-theyll-never-forget-2/?bst=5_18_1122_awma_55p

So the Horizon League schedule has started and we were swept by YSU.  We now are 3-20 on the year and 0-3 in the conference.  This team appears to have experience as I believe we only have one freshman but eight juniors and seniors on the team.  Second year for the head coach.  It could be a long season at this rate and a very big fall from the days a few years ago where we won games in the ncaa tournament.   

Was just watching Illinois State take down Evansville on their home court.  Evansville is a similar school to Valpo with Valpo having the edge in national ranking, endowment etc.

So why is Evansville playing in a HUGE arena (although while battling foe second place in the Valley the place is one-third full) while Valpo plays in the ARC?  I would much prefer the atmosphere in the ARC and the difference must be the city and state putting up funds for their arena.  Evansville has about 350k of residents and Valpo, maybe 35k.

Just announced!!

http://www.valpo.edu/news/2016/01/27/valparaiso-university-mens-basketball-program-receives-2m-commitment-to-endow-recruiting/

Matt is the head coach at Minnesota Duluth and his team just got ranked in the D2 poll for the first time!

Great work Matt!!

http://www.umdbulldogs.com/news/2016/1/12/MBB_0112160120.aspx#.VpWC6m--Ju8.facebook

Just received an email (via LinkedIn) saying that Matt was now the Advancement Coordinator at the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University.  What a fine young man.  I do wish him well and felt he was doing a great job at Valpo!

This could be a very good test as the Greyhounds have been to multiple D2 National tourneys.  They also play an exhibition against Auburn. Their roster includes 5 D1 transfers including players from Indiana State, Murray State, Liberty, Idaho State and Furman.  They aren't terribly big with one player at 6'9' and three at 6'7".

This is a scholarship program ranked 8th nationally in D2 in the coaches poll.  We need to not take these guys lightly.

The duo of Jeffrey Schorsch and Charlie Emhardt, ranked #55 nationally, beat Ohio State's #19 ranked team to advance to the finals of the Regional Midwest Championships!  They play Notre Dame's #28 ranked team in the finals tomorrow.  Congrats and keep it going!!

http://valpoathletics.com/mtennis/news/2015-16/14984/b1g-day-schorschemhardt-topple-pair-of-ranked-big-ten-foes-sunday/#.Vi12wberTrc

I'm just wondering why we bother fielding Cross country teams.  Those athletes  can compete at the longer distances in track and probably do. We have zero commitment to the sport as our coach is a law professor and probably has other issues on his mind. The results also confirm the commitment.  We just competed at ND and finished dead last in both men's and women's.  Lost to major conference foes you might be thinking?  Sure.  But we also were beaten soundly by teams like Butler (on the women's side), Calvin and Wisconsin Stevens Point.  On the men's side it was no better, losing to the same teams.

I applaud the effort of our athletes but wonder whether the funds expended could be used in better places.  This is not a situation where we gain female over male athletes for Title 9 purposes.

Thoughts?   

Not sure whether or not you folks have been watching the Valpo Athletics Website, but they have been running a poll to determine which event was the biggest of last year.  They now are down to the final two--between Men's Basketball getting to the NCAAs abd Women's Soccer doing the same.  It is truly a tough call.  Here's why:

Men's Basketball set a season best record of 28 wins, finishing 28-6 and losing to #12 ranked Maryland by 3 points.

Women's Soccer set a season best record of 14 wins, finishing 14-2-4 and losing to #12 ranked Notre Dame 1-0 on a shot with less then a minute to play in regulation.

Extremely close.  Not sure yet who I'll vote for.  Very proud of both groups for their tremendous seasons!   

UPDATE:  I chose Women's Soccer based on the fact that they were picked to finish 5th while the Men's Basketball team was picked to finish 4th.  Fantastic results from both!!!

Not only did Valpo host their first track meet, maybe ever (certainly since cinders went out of style!) but now Valpo men's tennis will play for a championship tomorrow, for the first time in history.

I watched the match on ESPN3 and the men are very impressive. What's more impressive is that they beat a Cleveland State team which was dominated by seniors and which have more championships then any other current member.  Oh yeah, our team is dominated by sophomores!!  Title match tomorrow at 11!!

http://valpoathletics.com/mtennis/news/2014-15/14641/crusaders-advance-to-title-match-with-4-1-win-over-vikings/#.VTwYIyFViko

Pretty impressive dude!

http://www.valpo.edu/commencement-may/commencement-speaker/