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The process for this type of decision is important. VU knew that changing the name would be upsetting to some people. Instead of trying to be conciliatory, they stuck their finger in the eye of anyone who would question the decision. That's bad politics, that's bad PR. They took something that, if done right, could bring the school together and instead created division. Would some people be always be upset at the name change? Yes. But a lot less people would be upset if the university didn't lie to them about the direction they were headed.

Again, the entire process reflects poorly on leadership.

I could not agree more with mj - this is exactly the problem.

Certainly, changing the mascot was going to be controversial. Doing so was controversial at other universities (think North Dakota, Marquette, Wheaton, Miami OH among others), and the timing of the announcement during a presidential transition made sense. Yet given the historic affinity for the Crusader, the President and the University should have been far more thoughtful and respectful.

How about saying something like:

"...I recognize this decision is controversial, yet I remind everyone that the Crusader was not always our mascot. When selected in 1942, President O.P. Kretzmann said, 'The term Crusader... is, I believe, an excellent choice. It connotes the courage and devotion to ideals for which the University stands.' Tens of thousands of students, alumni, athletes and fans have embraced the positive ideals of our University. We seek to be known for our commitment to integrity, truth, faith and our pursuit of excellence; our students strive for that in the classroom and in competition. We all share pride in the courage and devotion to ideals associated with our historic mascot.

Unfortunately, it has become clear that over time the name and imagery associated with being a 'crusader' has changed. This is especially true for those not familiar with Valparaiso University; there are obvious negative associations with religious wars, and I've become aware that certain hate groups have used the name to further their interests. Clearly, we do not wish to be associated with such negative symbolism.

It is now time to retire the Crusader mascot. We do so not because our shared commitment to the ideals of Valparaiso University has changed, but because the old mascot has become less effective in representing those ideals to those outside the University.

In the coming months, you will hear more about the process as we look for a new mascot. Please join me in this process, and thank you for your continued commitment to the shared future of Valparaiso University."

Do you do this for a living? This is exactly how the university should have went about this. I do think they have the opportunity to come up with a more unique name that represents the university better than the generic Crusader. It hasn't really been addressed how the university will come up with a new name. Are they taking submissions? Putting it up to a vote? Hearing input from alumni and students? It seems like they didn't really think this all the way through.

I wonder what Javon is thinking about now. His stats are down significantly across the board. His team is at the bottom of the BE. He has gone from 2nd best player in the MVC to a run of the mill BE player on a bad team.

He was probably hoping for more interest than Depaul. I can't imagine that was part of the original plan.

I never received a survey.  Also never received anything when they were canceling the men's soccer program.  I also donate every year.....well until this year.

Interesting.  I keep seeing/hearing this from other athletes, and also did not receive it on my end, but receive all other Valpo communications without issue.

I'm fascinated as to who Dakich's source is here. I'd like to think that I know of most of the "most popular alumni," and I can't come up with who is on that list that would be married to another athlete from VU. I've been trying to wrap my head around this all day and I just can't come up with it.

Aren't you a reporter? Why are you asking us?

Oh, I've been trying to figure it out all day. Reporters look everywhere. Even message boards.

Found some alumni that didn't receive a survey. But I understand it's hard to find good sources on a fan message board.

So there's no costs associated with each additional student... It's 100% profit to the university?

I'm fascinated as to who Dakich's source is here. I'd like to think that I know of most of the "most popular alumni," and I can't come up with who is on that list that would be married to another athlete from VU. I've been trying to wrap my head around this all day and I just can't come up with it.

Aren't you a reporter? Why are you asking us?

People advocating against Brown and Gold are the real monsters in this situation.

Why are fans asking about the amount of threes taken and not why they're only hitting a few of them a game? Is it really a viable strategy in 2020 to not take 3s and have putrid outside shooters on the court?

I don't mind bad shooting nights, but I can't stand dumb basketball plays.  Bad/half-effort passes, fouling on the rebound after you miss a shot, stopping your dribble when you don't have a defender on you, etc.  This was an ugly game.

Bad shooting night? It's been a bad shooting year for 4 years now.

Team any nickname with Sheboygan over here.

Don't you guys think we really belonc in the Big Ten now?   We can make the ARC work there for a while. Can we just stop already with all the "why are in the MVC" chatter?  After one bad loss, I was starting to wonder if a lot of you guys wanted to take us back to the Mid-Con and get the gang back together with Centenary and peel off IUPUI for all old times sake.   We've moved up twice and belong where we are. Relax a little.    [emoji38] [emoji106]

I'm not questioning why we are in the MVC I'm waiting for us to finally start pulling our weight with our new peers... Big difference...

There's been worse teams since we joined the MVC. They've been overall about .500 out of conference. The issue has been lowsy conference seasons, which doesn't impact MVC teams' SOS, RPI, NET, or whatever.

Updated Conference schedule

https://twitter.com/ValpoBasketball/status/1334920486975889409

Wut?

Sackey's biggest problem...he's playing too fast for some of the guys on this roster. Our bigs run down the court like offensive lineman watching the running back breakout for a 75-yard TD, and then wonder why the ball gets turned over so much. The 3-4-5 guys need to move down the court, and get ready. Can't run set plays with 5 seconds of the shot clock being lost to slugs getting downcourt.

He also can't shoot [emoji2369]

First game I've gotten to watch this season. I see an abundance of skilled young players with excellent  potential. I see exciting basketball ahead. Oh, and whichever gloom and doomer said we have HL talent is wrong. I should know better than to read post game comments after a loss.

I stand by my point that this would be probably good enough talent to be at the top of the Horizon and give Valpo a reasonable shot to get a bid. This isn't enough talent to compete in the MVC.

Had I recalled it was you, I would not have brought it up. You are a patriot and a great American, my friend.

[emoji23] Knew I could get you going

First game I've gotten to watch this season. I see an abundance of skilled young players with excellent  potential. I see exciting basketball ahead. Oh, and whichever gloom and doomer said we have HL talent is wrong. I should know better than to read post game comments after a loss.

I stand by my point that this would be probably good enough talent to be at the top of the Horizon and give Valpo a reasonable shot to get a bid. This isn't enough talent to compete in the MVC.

Kudos for Lottich toying with the rotations. Playing Sheboygan and Goodnews a ton of minutes and riding Robinson who was hot. Reducing minutes for Parker Hazen 2.0. Obviously they're never going to win a game like that vs a Big 10 team when the refs decide to call 32 fouls and put the entire team in foul trouble in the first 8 minutes... But I'm a bit more optimistic with some of the other underclassmen. Obviously need a few more pieces, but they've got some players to build around (until they transfer [emoji24]).

"yOU hAvE tO cHaNGE tHe wAY YOu aRE guARDinG"

after replay shows Gordon gets all ball. These guys are clowns.

How is Valpo winning? 15-some fouls, 9 turnovers, a 6 min scoring drought.

Even if the MVC was a two bid league, Valpo is further from either bid than they were with the one bid in the Horizon. Furthermore, Valpo WAS close to an auto-bid back in the Horizon and probably would have gotten a bid if the new NET formula was used.

Years 1-3 of the MVC Valpo had above .500 out of conference records, but finished bottom of the MVC each year. The OOC record is starting to tank this year. Now that Valpo isn't close to a tournament bid, they can't really sell recruits on the ability to play in the tournament. They're selling a .500 team that finishes bottom third of their league. Maybe some recruits would rather play vs better competition on a bottom teir MVC team vs winning a ton of games in the Horizon League... but we're definitely not seeing the star recruits of the former.

Valpo hadn't lost to UIC since 2008. What changed? Perhaps the MVC wasn't greener pastures. At least in the Horizon I could enjoy 20-some wins a year and blowing out Chicago teams.

What about "The Beach"

How about "The Valpo University Athletics Teams"

I don't really care if they change the mascot name, I just think it is a waste of energy.  If Valpo does not take care of their current financial situation, the decision of a mascot is a moot point. Professors and students need to focus on keeping the university strong and out of a cash sink, especially during these trying times.

There's a professor at the university who has said that changing the nickname will bring in more students, which would help make the university strong and "out of a cash sink."

I hope they're not a math or economics professor

What would they change it to? I think they'd have to have something decent and meaningful in mind before making the change, otherwise you end up with something stupid like "Golden Eagles."

Lottich: "About this time last year this program looked like it was in a bad spot. It looked like it was falling apart. Really though it was just coming together."

That is the best succinct takeaway I have seen. He's 100% right. Go Valpo! I BELIEVE!

Our best days are ahead of us. Hopefully we get more support from the community at large and from the university in terms of facility upgrades when they have the ability but I can say with absolute certainty that our best days are ahead of us. I say it again: I BELIEVE!

Last year I argued that having the roster churn was the best thing for the program (obviously sans JFL). This was clearly the case as younger players were able to flourish and the team actually played hard due to the more lazy players leaving.

I think that this team would try to win the CBI or CIT, unlike prior HL teams which took it is a negative consolation.  It would also allow Kiser and Fazekas to have the postseason experience that they deserve, after this run.

Eh, might be better to sit them out (it's the CIT) and give some of the younger guys more playing time.

We had no business being in the tournament

Nonsense. The only thing that surprised me about reaching the final game was that Freeman was sick and Robinson unavailable. We and Bradley peaked at the right times. Kudos to Lottich for controlling the team evolution.

Unfortunately Bradley didn't either, having gone through 5, 8, and 7 seeds. Too bad UNI lost their first game.

When Childs completely returned from injury Bradley became a better team than Loyola and a tossup with UNI. I respect Wardle as a coach and their combination of talents gives them a variety of attacking and defending options. Whoever they draw on selection Sunday it will be a game.

Just let me be bitter.