Crusaders thankful for NCAA golf experience

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

As Austin Gaugert walked off the course for the last time as a collegiate golfer, the Valparaiso senior felt more satisfied than anything else.

Michigan shuts out Valpariaso in NCCA regional opener

Greg Garno Times Correspondent

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | The Valparaiso softball team couldn’t touch Michigan right-hander Sara Driesenga, no matter how hard it tried.

Crusaders falter late at NCAA regional

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

A poor finish disrupted an otherwise solid day at the Scarlet Course for the Valparaiso men’s golf team on the second day of the NCAA regional in Columbus.

NCAA berths bring national attention to Valparaiso University teams

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | When Valparaiso recorded the final out of the Horizon League softball tournament last weekend, Jordan Stevens earned a special distinction that has eluded even the men’s basketball program the last 13 years.

Middle holes doom Crusaders at NCAA regional tournament in Ohio

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

The Valparaiso men’s golf team started strong and finished strong at the NCAA tournament in Columbus on Thursday afternoon.

Freshmen pitchers have Valparaiso University Crusaders back in NCAA tournament

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Prevailing wisdom led many to believe Valparaiso softball would rebuild in 2013.

Alabama's Moussa Gueye transfers to Valparaiso

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | It’s coming two years later than expected, but Moussa Gueye will finally put on a Valparaiso uniform next season.

Ichiyama’s return helps lead Valparaiso

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | When Joylyn Ichiyama walked off the field following Valparaiso’s season-ending loss to Kentucky in the NCAA tournament last season, the senior believed she was walking away from the softball for the final time.

John Snyder resigns as Chesterton football coach to join Valparaiso University football staff

Jim Peters jim.peters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

Joining the Valparaiso University football staff brings John Snyder back to his coaching roots, to the reason he first came to Northwest Indiana a quarter century ago.

Crusaders heading NCAA softball tournament at U-M

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso softball team is going back to the NCAA tournament and this time the Crusaders are bringing along some experience.

Crusaders headed back to the NCAA tournament

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

CHICAGO | When it comes to thriving under pressure, the Valparaiso softball team sure knows how to deliver.

Ranieri easing into key role for Valparaiso University softball

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Kat Ranieri can’t pinpoint the moment when she stopped feeling like a freshman, but the Valparaiso newcomer has a newfound confidence heading into the postseason.

Crusaders heading to Ohio for NCAA Championships

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Hitting the links in college was only going to be for recreation after Chesterton product Josh Kalita finished his high school career four years ago.

Turnovers and touchdowns mark annual Valparaiso scrimmage

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Depending on point of view, the annual Valparaiso football spring game featured plenty of reasons for optimism on both sides of the ball Saturday morning.

Karungi finds new family at Valparaiso

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | When Sharon Karungi talked on Friday about the reasons she decided to play basketball at Valparaiso, the JUCO transfer highlighted family among the key factors that played into her decision.

VU punter participates in workout with Bears

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Greg Wood doesn’t expect to hear his name called during the NFL Draft later this month. The Valparaiso senior punter is only hoping for an opportunity to get into training camp.

Gerardot among three players leaving VU women's basketball team

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Tabitha Gerardot headlined a trio of roster defections that were announced by Valparaiso women’s basketball coach Tracey Dorow on Friday afternoon.

Redshirt-junior among leaders hoping to guide Valparaiso back to NCAA tournament

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Jessie Marinec has been through plenty of speed bumps in her softball career that have forced her to cherish every opportunity she has to take the field.

Crusaders find new pitcher with tragic connection to former ace

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Cole Webb was looking for a school and Valparaiso was looking for a pitcher. Once the pair found each other, it became a perfect match in more ways than one.

Crusaders turn to the future following NCAA loss

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Tomorrow starts today for the Valparaiso men’s basketball team.

Valpo falls to Michigan State 65-54, ending NCAA hopes

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Valparaiso couldn’t hit open shots and couldn’t stop Derrick Nix.

AL HAMNIK: Bryce Drew's heart with the VU Crusaders for now

Al Hamnik Times Columnist

AUBURN HILLS, MICH.| And now the questioning, the second-guessing, begins.

Izzo had Spartans ready for the upset

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Tom Izzo wasn’t shy about addressing the talent differential between his Michigan State squad and Valparaiso after the Spartans won 65-54 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Dawson's defense helps lift Spartans past Valparaiso

Al Hamnik al.hamnik@nwi.com (219) 933-4154

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Branden Dawson's jump shot still needs lot of work but defensively, the Michigan State sophomore is on you like lint on wool.

Crusaders focused on business

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS | Ryan Broekhoff’s entire Valparaiso career has been geared toward today.

Wood provides bond between Valparaiso and Michigan State

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. | Brandon Wood was watching Selection Sunday unfold from Hungary when he saw the names of his two former schools flash across the TV screen.

NCAA tournament schedules

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Valparaiso (26-7)

Brokehoff hopes for chance to face former Australian teammates

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

AUBURN HILLS | It would take two significant upsets, but Valparaiso’s Ryan Broekhoff can’t help but think about what a potential Round of 32 matchup with No. 11 St. Mary’s would be like.

Van Wijk and Eksten’s relationship has helped push the Crusaders to the NCAAs

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Kevin Van Wijk was ready to quit.

Valparaiso coaching staff brings NCAA experience to the table

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Bryce Drew isn’t the only member of the Valparaiso coaching staff that has made some memories in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Janet Drew was deemed cancer-free last month by doctors in Chicago

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | The Drew family was having a great start to the 2013 calendar year long before the Valparaiso men’s basketball team earned a trip to the NCAA tournament.

Drew family makes some NCAA history

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | The last time Valparaiso men’s basketball earned a No. 14 seed in the NCAA tournament was when the Crusaders played No. 3 Arizona in 1996.

No. 14 Crusaders face No. 3 Spartans in Michigan

Paul Jankowski Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | So much for a hearty welcome back to the NCAA tournament for Valparaiso.

Valpo says 'Yes' to Michigan

VALPARAISO | On Sunday, 450 fans packed the ballroom of the Harre Union along with the Valparaiso players, cheerleaders and band to learn the team's NCAA fate.

No. 20 Green Bay ousts Valparaiso women in Horizon quarterfinal

Greg Bates Times Correspondent

GREEN BAY, Wis. | Tabitha Gerardot did all she could to extend her team’s season.

Crusaders take a day to relax after clinching NCAA tournament berth

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | The lights were out, doors were locked and all was quiet at the Athletics-Recreation Center on Wednesday afternoon.

JIM PETERS: VU basketball team finds chemistry amid its diversity

Jim Peters Times Columnist

They're quite the patchwork quilt, this Valparaiso University men's basketball team. A coat of many colors, if you will.

Crusaders heading back to NCAA tournament

Paul Jankowski Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Get out your ink pen and place Valparaiso in your NCAA tournament bracket. The Crusaders will be dancing for the first time since 2004.

Loyal VU basketball fans cheer on Crusaders in Horizon League championship

Jim Peters jim.peters@nwi.com, (219) 548-4363

VALPARAISO | The association between Judy Miller and Valparaiso University dates back to 1966, when Miller was a freshman English major.

ValparaiZone sells out its tickets in less than 24 hours for HL championship game

Hillary Smith hillary.smith@nwi.com, (219) 933-3233

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso men's basketball team's loudest supporters were on spring break when the Crusaders won a Horizon League semifinal game in the final seconds on Saturday.

JIM PETERS: Valpo like a second home to Ryan Broekhoff's family

Jim Peters Times Columnist

VALPARAISO | It's a long, long way from Valparaiso University to Frankston, Victoria in Australia.

Crusaders advance to Horizon League quarterfinals

By Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO| The gameplan was simple but effective for Valparaiso women’s basketball Monday.

Crusaders set to battle Wright State for Horizon League title

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Lost in the madness of Ryan Broekhoff’s miracle buzzer-beater on Saturday night is that Valparaiso men’s basketball still has one more mountain to climb.

Broekhoff sends Crusaders to Horizon League title game with miracle shot

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | It wasn’t “The Shot,” but it was the next closest thing for Valparaiso.

LeCrone expects Horizon League expansion within two years

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Horizon League commissioner Jon LeCrone addressed a variety of topics at the annual Horizon League “state of the league” address, including the much-anticipated conference expansion.

Crusaders dominate Detroit in regular-season finale

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Gina Lange has fond memories of playing at the Athletics-Recreation Center over the last four years. Now the Valparaiso senior has a chance to make one more.

Crusaders leaning on past Horizon League tournament experience

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | Experience has been one of the key factors that has driven the Valparaiso men’s basketball team to a second straight Horizon League title this season.

Scouting the Horizon League men's basketball tournament

Paul Oren

No. 4 Green Bay (16-14) vs. No. 9 Milwaukee (8-23)

Crusaders sit back as Horizon League tournament begins

Paul Oren Times Correspondent

VALPARAISO | The Valparaiso men’s basketball team can do little more than wait over the next five days until the Crusaders get a chance to fulfill their dreams.