Messages

I think I may have discovered the problem with the women's golf team.  Not to single out any one player, but, the coach's daughter just shot 102 and is dead last in the field after round one.  She did make two pars however.  I'm sure she is a great kid and wonderful student. Not sure she should be playing D1 golf however.

Totally agree. I have written to numerous VP's of Recruitment on same. It was the Beacon/dogs thing that I found preposterous.

For YEARS now I have advised anyone who would listen that we need to renew our emphasis on recruiting Lutheran kids since, you know, we brand ourselves as an "independent Lutheran university." I pointed out that Lutheran kids were attending college SOMEWHERE. 55 Lutheran kids in last year's freshman class is a joke.

The stats on the enrollment #s for the Concordia schools posted by valpo95 are completely disheartening. I'm done - finished - trying to get VU to adjust its recruitment strategy which, if we go by the numbers for the past 10-20 years, is NOT working.

There are a lot of smart people running this place, to be sure, but they don't seem to make smart choices in a lot of areas.

(I have to say this - at a get together of 12 VU grads recently, only 1 thought the Beacon name was a good idea. And since we play Drake this weekend, I've heard from 5 or 6 from my Drake Law colleagues, all but one of whom gave me grief about the Beacon name and our mascots (if you can call a cartoon dog a mascot). Point is, this name change (the election results were never made public, to my knowledge) and mascots are a flat -out embarrassment to this University.)

Sorry, in a pessimistic mood today.

Paul

So if I understand your point correctly, Lutheran kids would be flocking to Valpo if we were the Bulldogs and have a fierce looking dog as a mascot, but certainly won't be coming because we are Beacons and have a friendly, kids favorable pair of gentle pooches?

In the immortal words of John Mcenroe, "you've got to be joking!"

you were at the game. Was there a live pep band?

I was at the game and there wasn't any pep-band nor has there been one for several years.  It was LaBarbera who told me that it was hard on the instruments or some sort of lame excuse and that was several ( as in 10 years or so) years ago.

Well, we get  a win over Directional U.  At least all you haters of our Brown and Gold colors can now say they know of another school sporting those same choices.

VULB,

That's just the extra curriculars which are usually student run/non-credit. They do have a jazz and orchestra if you look under Ensembles

https://www.valpo.edu/music/ensembles/

And a world class Chorale.  https://www.valpo.edu/chorale/

Mascot change being one of many reasons why they aren't interested in the direction of the school

Sure thing.  That's why last year's Day of Giving set a new record.

As is typical with these campaigns, a lot of preliminary spadework was done before the launch to ensure that x amount of money was committed at the opening.

My recollection was that when The Bare Naked Ladies played  around $140 million was announced as pledged or in the bank.

https://valpo.life/article/bare-naked-ladies-help-kick-off-forever-valpo-campaign-at-valparaiso-university/

I never heard a number but the 80 million sounds about right.

$80M is not sufficient to build a new nursing building and a new arena. Of course, the university may also have other sources to fund those projects.

I believe you. It was a total guess on my part.  No amount was discussed.

Nothing stated in a formal announcement format. My discussion was with the VP of advancement who told me a new campaign is in the works. Followup conversations with two in the fund raising staff told me that the campaign would in all likelihood include both facilities and went on the describe the arena structure and proposed changes to Brown Field.

I never heard a number but the 80 million sounds about right.

What years did John Wolfenberg play?  My father played basketball (football and baseball, as well) at St. Olaf College from the 1970-1971 to 1973-1974 seasons, and they played 2 games against Valpo during that time, with 1 in MN and the other at Valpo.  Both were obviously large wins for Valpo by around 40, though St. Olaf did well against their other competition. 

Wolfenberg played from 1970-73.  During that time, and for many years, Valpo hosted the "Crusader Classic" where they hosted two other Lutheran colleges for a tournament. In the 70-71 season St. Olaf was one of the invitees and lost to Valpo 109-79.  The next time they came to campus was in the 73-74 season where St. Olaf lost 114-74.  Historically, Valpo has only played the Oles 4 times, the first being in the 30's,  I doubt Valpo would have ever traveled to Northfield.

I'm guessing Palm, Connor and Darius all start.  But the second wave will be, in the long run, will be the more productive.  As for Brodie, the style of play, that being run and gun, will probably keep him off the court.

I agree with VALPO LI in that every effort should be made to have the Band back for all home games.  It appears that we are trying to  create a new and exciting atmosphere for the games and if they are serious about it the Band should be a part of it.  If it means that some compensation should be in order to get the musicians there, so be it.  It is great to hear a student band to add to the excitment of the game.

The band will be nice but winning is the key to attendance, or at least an exciting product.  Witness the volleyball team.  Over 800 at the game Friday night. The women's basketball team didn't get anywhere near 800 for any game.

So the first thing is that several people, including the VP of advancement, confirmed that a new fund raising campaign will be underway in the not too distant future.  Most likely, it will include funds needed for both the new nursing school as well as the new basketball arena.

The biggest news is that the arena is now going to be built not on the hospital site but north of Brown Field, behind what is now the visitor bleachers.
The visitor side will become the home side and the new arena will include suite/club seating which will be positioned to allow viewing of both football and basketball games.

The hospital site will then be used to add additional fields including an air bubble covered field for winter practice for sports like baseball.

I was at homecoming and visited with a person who was in attendance at  the cigar event.  He said that net of friends and family from administration members, the paying folks totaled 19.

As for the football/basketball/nursing school upgrades/changes--there is a BUNCH of stuff to disclose.

So the first thing is that several people, including the VP of advancement, confirmed that a new fund raising campaign will be underway in the not too distant future.  Most likely, it will include funds needed for both the new nursing school as well as the new basketball arena.

The biggest news is that the arena is now going to be built not on the hospital site but north of Brown Field, behind what is now the visitor bleachers.
The visitor side will become the home side and the new arena will include suite/club seating which will be positioned to allow viewing of both football and basketball games.

The hospital site will then be used to add additional fields including an air bubble covered field for winter practice for sports like baseball.

It's a lot,  But very exciting!  The weekend was really fantastic ex the last play loss for the football team.  Two wins for volleyball, two wins for tennis and great weather!!

Valpo wins their own tourney by 13 shots (without one of its top 2 players). Caleb VanArragon wins the individual title by 16 shots (15 under par for three rounds).

And he/they did it in a steady rain!  Amazing stuff!

Statistical analysis which includes a game vs a team a Div or two up (however one wishes to term it) is going to be flawed.

Have agree that we have obvious things to correct but also that statistical analysis this early is tough.  Remember, of the five interceptions throw, two were tipped and was a desperation first half ending throw that worked out as well as a punt.  Also, if you take out all the sack yardage, we are more like 3.4 running per carry.

I can see the comparisons between Deion Sanders and Roger Powell, but I would argue that there are substantial differences: -Deion Sanders is a huge celebrity and can leverage that, Roger Powell is not a celebrity. -Roger Powell has extensive coaching experience, whereas Deion Sanders only had a few years at Southern. -Deion Sanders benefits from being able to immediately get his son to transfer and be a top flight quarterback. Another son is the starting cornerback. I am not diminshing Deion Sanders' success or the potential for Coach Powell. I just see Coach Powell's forthcoming turnaround being more akin to Lance Leipold's at Kansas.

Sanders was at Jackson St and not Southern.
The Powell and Sanders situations are really not comparable at all unless we're lumping all enthusiastic coaches in their first year into the same boat.

The comparison I was making is to two charismatic coaches coming into situations where there was no place but up. The coaches were left with, either by encouragement or reality, basically very little talent. I was not comparing life styles or jewelry selections. They also are both black, coming into traditionally white environments. Geez, you guys are a tough crowd! 

I'll be there and hope to meet a few of the Board members .  Ask around at the Donor's tent.

I just watched the 60 Minute interview with Dion Sanders, "Coach Prime".  I couldn't help but compare the situation he inherited to that which "The Rev" inherited. In Colorado's case, a 1-11 record and in The Rev's case, a formerly highly respected program having fans wondering why we belong in the Valley.  The situations couldn't be more similar.

Coach Prime told his players to transfer because if they didn't like the situation or thought they couldn't compete, they were part of the problem. The Rev found THREE players left when he landed. 

I love the comparison and see zero reason why the community, alumni and administration can't back the program back to its former greatness and...BEYOND.  I chose to believe.  LET'S GO!!!

Big Congrats to Coach Avery who has now compiled 479 wins in 22 years at Valpo.  She surpasses Ed Bauer who won 478 over three different sports.  Carin is a true legend at Valpo! 

Not here to defend Heckler or those who helped develop the plan.  I just find it interesting to look back and perhaps take a closer look at what the critical mistakes were so they don't happen again. Here is a Torch article on the plan dated 10/25/2013:

http://www.valpotorch.com/news/article_5a54cc80-3d7d-11e3-aa55-0019bb30f31a.html

Interestingly enough, the bigger mistake was assuming the Graduate programs would grow to 1500 versus the undergrad goal of 4500. Obviously, the grad portion included maintaining 400 or so in the law school.

Valpo finished tied for 3rd in Air Force Academy's tournament in Colorado. Better, Caleb Van Arragon won medalist honers after winning the first playoff hole.

Meanwhile the women's team is atrocious. How can there be such a dichotomy and when can it be fixed?
If our basketball teams are going to be mediocre at best perhaps our non revenue teams can be competitive?

It's a fair question. It appears that the coach has brought in at least one player with a decent record but the normal suspects for top players remain the same.  This team not only finishes last, they finish last by a lot!

to the collapse of Heckler's crazy 6000-student house of cards?

I have zero idea what the Board or Mark Heckler thought about the 6000 student plan or what influences they expected to get to such a goal.  However, of you look at the facts, those that some on this board find difficult, here are a few to consider perhaps.

When Mark Heckler took office in 2008 the student body, as posted by 22, was 3,782.  By 2013, roughly 40% through his tenure, the number had grown to 4,310 or an increase of 14% and and had been steadily growing for four straight years.  Not sure when the targeted 6000 was planned but on this growth curve it isn't beyond the realm of possibilities in a pre-covid world.