Crusaders net another ESPN appearance

VALPARAISO | Valparaiso men’s basketball has gotten to the point where a nationally televised game doesn’t move the needle quite as much as it used to.

VU to give Tolkien buffs a dose of Middle Earth mania

Brad Eden stands among a portion of his J.R.R. Tolkien memorabilia collection that is displayed at the Brauer Museum at Valparaiso University. His collection consists of more than a few "Lord of the Rings" books. Eden has paintings inspired by the books to miniature models to posters of musi…

VU to give Tolkien buffs a dose of Middle Earth mania

Bred Eden stands near a sign in the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University that denotes a display of his collection of J.R.R. Tolkien memorabilia.

VU to give Tolkien buffs a dose of Middle Earth mania

Brad Eden stands among a portion of his J.R.R. Tolkien memorabilia collection that is on display at Valparaiso University's Brauer Art Museum.

Crusaders get much-needed win over IUPUI

VALPARAISO | Back in the day, or at least early this century, Valparaiso and IUPUI had some epic battles in the old Mid-Continent Conference.

Crusaders struggling in close games this season

VALPARAISO | Winning close games was a staple of Bryce Drew’s first year on the bench as the Valparaiso men’s basketball head coach.

Crusaders have lineup options with added depth

Trailing at halftime to a below-average Missouri State squad on Saturday night, Valparaiso men’s basketball coach Bryce Drew went against traditional philosophy and the Crusaders pulled out a victory.

Fog covers region

Traffic moves through downtown Valparaiso on Wednesday during heavy fog in the area.

Fog covers region

Valparaiso University student Yunan Gu from China walks across campus Wednesday morning during heavy fog in Valparaiso.

Valparaiso University Chapel

Trees frame the Valparaiso University Chapel of the Resurrection, for a landscape focal point. In July, ash trees were removed after infestation by the Emerald Ash Borer.

Valpo High School volleyball player Tarrah Lasky

Valparaiso High School senior volleyball player Tarrah Lasky will be playing for Valparaiso University next year. Lasky returns as starting setter for the Vikings this year.

Valpo High volleyball player Tarrah Lasky

Valparaiso High School senior volleyball player Tarrah Lasky will be playing for Valparaiso University next year. Lasky returns as setter for the Vikings this year.

Valpo High volleyball player Tarrah Lasky

Valparaiso High School senior volleyball player Tarrah Lasky will be playing for Valparaiso University next year. Lasky returns as setter for the Vikings this year.

Valpo High School volleyball player Tarrah Lasky

Valparaiso High School senior volleyball player Tarrah Lasky will be playing for Valparaiso University next year. Lasky is the returning setter for the Vikings this year.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Valparaiso University sophomore Katelyn Niemeyer watches a water absorption test along with students from Valparaiso's Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on Thursday at the Thorgren Dentention Basin. Students were testing water and soil quality at the site.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Valparaiso University sophomore Kiefer Heiman shows Thomas Jefferson Elementary School fifth-graders how to test for water absorption in the soil Thursday at the Thorgren Dentention Basin in Valparaiso.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School Principal Bonnie Stephens points out bugs Thursday at the Thorgren Dentention Basin with fifth-graders Cameron Nelson, left, and Kyle Handing.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School fifth-grader Cameron Kjelstrom holds a dragonfly larvae Thursday from the Thorgren Dentention Basin in Valparaiso. The young students helped Valparaiso University students and faculty to test soil and water conditions at the basin, which included looking at…

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Tom Goyne, left, Valparaiso University associate professor of chemistry, talks with students from Valparaiso's Thomas Jefferson Elementary School on Thursday before testing the Thorgren Dentention Basin for water and soil quality.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

Thomas Goyne, left, Valparaiso University associate professor of Chemistry, explains to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School students how to use a tube to test soil water absorption Thursday at the Thorgren Detention Basin in Valparaiso. Valparaiso University students — with help from the fift…