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Man, that would make absolutely no sense to me. You are basically the man in regards to NC State baseball, and you leave for Auburn? Auburn has been to 12 NCAA tournaments in the last 20 years, while NC State has 16. I don't believe Auburn has done much in the way of Super Regionals in the recent seasons, while NC State has a few under their belt. I understand being close to your wife's family (like Woodson and Valpo), but that move seems so strange to me. I don't believe Woodson's overall record at Valpo will factor too negatively against him for that job. He has taken us to 2 straight NCAA tourneys, got us an NCAA win, has 3 winning seasons at a school that doesn't have a history of winning seasons at the D-1 level, and is a legend on the field at NCSU. He would be pretty high on their radar, I would have to think.

Yes, Coach Woodson would be a very viable candidate for the NC State job if it comes open and he would very much be on their radar screen, imo.  I don't know if he would be the top candidate, but possibly.  But definitely in contention and very much in high consideration. 

Where did you see the report that the NC State coach is interviewing at Auburn btw? NC State is still playing, having moved on to the Super Regional, and I highly doubt that he would be interviewing for other jobs at this time...

Jetz, I had the same question.  I know Coach Avent interviewed for the Auburn job in 2008 when the job was last open.  That was publicly reported.  Is it possible you were looking at some old reports from 2008 when they were reporting on the Auburn baseball coach search?  I could be wrong, but I don't think a coach would be interviewing for a new position while his team is still competing in a Super Regional and only 2 wins away from the College World Series.  Not sure, but that might even be a violation of NCAA rules.

Congrats to Cole Webb and Spencer Mahnoney for representing Valpo Baseball on the NCAA All-Tournament Team!

http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12779/webb-mahoney-named-to-all-tournament-team/

I assume Coach Woodson would want the opportunity to coach at his alma mater if the position became open.  Is anyone familiar with the NC State situation?  Would Coach Woodson be the leading candidate?  He has obviiously put together a very impressive coaching resume but I am not familiar with other potential coaching candidates out in the universe that might have an interest.  I would hate to lose Coach Woodson but I am happy for anyone that gets a chance for their dream job.

This was a great season and the coaches and players should be commended!  With a target on their back they overcame injuries all season to repeat as conference tournament champions and beat a national southern powerhouse Florida Gators to eliminate them from the NCAA tournament.  Valpo Baseball definitely took the next step in not just being happy to be in the NCAA tournament but truly playing like they belong and expect to win.

Go Valpo......take out the Gators!

TICKET INFORMATION Reserved All-Session - $77 • Reserved Single-Session - $15 General All-Session - $63 • General Single-Session - $12 Student/Young All-Session - $35 • Student/Youth - $8 For more ticket information, contact the IU Ticket Office at 1-866-IUSPORTS. http://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/index.php?/topic/9813-iu-to-host-ncaa-baseball-regional-may-31-june-3/

Great info......thanks bbtds!!!!!!

I am hoping that we pull out the first game and win the regional, but at the very least expect a win this year like softball

We will.....I'm confident!!!!!

Great draw!  Good luck Valpo Baseball!!!!!

Congrats Valpo Baseball!!!!!!  NCAA Tourny Bound!!!!!!!

good point, jetz...I think the ole Trace wants to thereby show confidence in his starter, but Grady Little might still be managing in Boston if he had had his bullpen up and ready. In light-hearted, wait-for-tomorrow news, I thought I would post this link...seems like something Tex would approve of: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/05/cincinnati-bearcats-postgame-interview-gifs/

Maybe having too much fun.......the Cincinnati Bearcats fired their head baseball coach, Coach Cleary, and entire staff last weekend........

Great start!!!  I agree with Valpotx, let's go 3-0 and call it a day until the NCAA Bracket Selection party!!!

Go Valpo Baseball!!!!!

The more-frequently a mid-major gets to the big stage, the better it is equipped to perform well on said stage.  Last year's expererience should serve this year's softball team well. 

Good luck to Valpo Softball in the Regional!!!

Wright State beat UIC yesterday 3-2 in the first game of thier series.  The updated HL standings are:

Milwaukee   14-7
UIC            11-11
Valpo         11-11
WSU           9-10
YSU            8-14

Things would have been really dicey if we had lost to YSU yesterday!  Much more margin for error now to maintain at least a 3-seed and first round bye.

Valpo wins 4-1 today. Both starters take the decision......winning pitcher Webb, losing pitcher O'Brien. Strange game. Through the first few innings Valpo was outhit 12 hits to 0 but only trailed 1-0. Several outs on the basepaths and several runners LOB for the Penquins. Midway through the game Valpo outhit 12 hits to 2 hits but game tied at 1-1. Later in game YSU outfielder loses ball in the sun that leads to a 3-run inning for Valpo. Sounds like the definition of "winning ugly" but we will take it!

As I think about it, this only begins to partially make up for some of those earlier season one-run loses where we hit the ball hard all game long right at people with little to show for it.      

Valpo wins 4-1 today.  Both starters take the decision......winning pitcher Webb, losing pitcher O'Brien.  Strange game.  Through the first few innings Valpo was outhit 12 hits to 0 but only trailed 1-0.  Several outs on the basepaths and several runners LOB for the Penquins.  Midway through the game Valpo outhit 12 hits to 2 hits but game tied at 1-1.  Later in game YSU outfielder loses ball in the sun that caps off a a 2-run inning for Valpo.  Sounds like the definition of "winning ugly" but we will take it! 

Final regular season series for 2013 this weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Senior Day is Saturday!  Can't win the regular season.  Can end up with anywhere from a 2 seed to a 5 seed based on this weekend's results.  Most likely playing for a 2 or 3 seed in HL Tourny though.  We've been playing great ball at home.  Let's keep that trend going.   

Good luck Valpo Baseball!!! 

Congrats to Valpo Softball for back to back HL Tournament Championships and NCAA Regional births!!!!!  With a positive NCAA tournament experience from last year to leverage, who knows what great things this year's NCAA Tournament may bring to Valpo Softball!!! 

Go Valpo Softball!!!!

Tough weekend, but I am confident we can bounce back next weekend against
Youngstown and go into the tournament with some momentum.  I still like our chances.

Here's the link to the @UIC baseball series preview:

http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12727/red-hot-crusaders-meet-flames-with-plenty-at-stake/

Elliot Martin is back from injury this weekend.  That's good news.  Cole Webb is back from injury and back in the rotation.  That's good news.  Overall, the pitching is as deep as it has been all year.  That's good news.  Valpo is hitting the baseball as consistently as they have all year.  That's good news.  Valpo has the longest winning streak in Division 1 college baseball at 10 games.  That's good news.  Valpo is now over .500 on the season.  That's good news.  Valpo has pulled within one game of Milwaukee.  That's good news.

Basically, Valpo has six conference games left and Milwaukee has three conference games left.  Both play YSU with Valpo having this UIC series in addition.  Needless to say it's a big weekend.  A sweep puts us in good shape.......taking two this weekend still keeps us reasonably in contention for the regular season championship.

Go Valpo Baseball!!!!!!

Not sure if anyone has focused on this or if I missed it, but the person just named the new interim AD at Northern Kentucky is a former Wright State AD, who helped guide them during their transition into the Horizon League. He was also a Horizon League insider for a number of years. Could be coincidence, but it has been no secret that the goal of Northern Kentucky is inclusion in the HL. Also, as some posters have indicated, Northern Kentucky would be a good fit for a few reasons. Therefore, with this hiring there should be an easier path to add Northern Kentucky to the Horizon League if the parties eventually decide to do so—maybe not for 2013-2014, but possibly for 2014-2015.

Here's the link for the news from valpopal about the interim AD just named at NKU:

http://www.kyforward.com/our-northern-kentucky/2013/04/01/nku-turns-to-former-wright-state-ad-to-lead-department-during-search-for-new-director/

Very interesting.......

Not sure if anyone has focused on this or if I missed it, but the person just named the new interim AD at Northern Kentucky is a former Wright State AD, who helped guide them during their transition into the Horizon League. He was also a Horizon League insider for a number of years. Could be coincidence, but it has been no secret that the goal of Northern Kentucky is inclusion in the HL. Also, as some posters have indicated, Northern Kentucky would be a good fit for a few reasons. Therefore, with this hiring there should be an easier path to add Northern Kentucky to the Horizon League if the parties eventually decide to do so—maybe not for 2013-2014, but possibly for 2014-2015.

Valpopal, great insight!  Very interesting connection of the dots.  Thanks for sharing!  I am very much in the camp that Northern Kentucky makes a lot of sense for the HL and has a lot of upside from an athletic perspective.  Fits geographically.  Travel partner for Wright State.  Gains recruiting access to attractive Cincy metropolitan market.  Very nice athletic facilities.  Demonstrated financial commitment of the school to athletics.  Mutual interest so easier sell to accept invitation.  Win/win, so lets make it happen in fairly short order.  No reason to wait.  Gets us to 10 schools now, and if Belmont and/or Murry State want to come on board afterward, then we expand to 12, no problem.   

Coin flip?

This article from the Detroit Free Press at 2:18 pm today:

http://www.freep.com/article/20130506/SPORTS08/305060097/oakland-horizon-league

Oakland University's athletic department is inviting media members to Tuesday afternoon's meeting of the Board of Trustees, presumably to announce that the school is leaving the Summit League and joining the Horizon League.

Officials from the school and league have declined to comment on the subject of the meeting, which will be followed by a news conference.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reported last month that OU will move to the Horizon, which already is home to Detroit Mercy.

Tuesday's board meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m.

We get the sweep against Milwaukee with a 7-6 win.  Another late inning comeback down 6-3.  Won 9 in a row!  Wow!  Great job Valpo Baseball!  Let's close the deal and win the HL Regular season and HL Tournament.  Only one game back with six to go!