Valpo Athletic Teams to Join Horizon League

A majority of alumni and friends now will be able to attend more Valparaiso University athletic games, thanks to the recent decision by Valpo leadership to join the Horizon League effective with the 2007-’08 academic year.
“Sixty-one percent of all Valparaiso alumni reside in the five states encompassed by the Horizon League,” VU President Alan Harre said. “Many of the alumni in these states are in metropolitan areas not served by our current conference affiliation, so a greater number now will have an opportunity to watch the performances of student-athletes representing their alma mater.”

The Horizon League is composed of teams in five Midwestern states: Butler University in Indianapolis; Cleveland State University in Cleveland; Loyola University Chicago; University of Detroit Mercy; University of Illinois at Chicago; University of Wisconsin Green Bay; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee; Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio; and Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. 

Valpo has been a member of the Mid-Continent Conference, which includes schools from Michigan to Oklahoma and Utah to Louisiana, since the conference was founded in 1982.

“The transition to the Horizon League means less time will be needed by our student-athletes as they travel to and from competition, and they will miss fewer classes,” Harre said. “Shorter travel also means less fatigue and increased concentration in the classroom.”

Other benefits of joining the Horizon League include:

• Increased opportunities to recruit student-athletes and students. Seventy-one percent of all Valpo students come from the five states encompassed by the Horizon League.
• Substantial reduction in Valparaiso’s travel expenses—money that will be reinvested in the athletic programs.
• Renewed rivalries. Valpo previously was a conference member with Cleveland State, University of Illinois at Chicago, University of Wisconsin Green Bay, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wright State and Youngstown State. All were members of the Mid-Con at one time.

In addition, Valpo has traditionally played Butler, Loyola, and Detroit in various sports as well.

Valpo will continue to compete in the Mid-Continent Conference during the 2006-’07 academic year.

Not affected by the pending conference switch is Valparaiso’s participation in the Pioneer Football League.