Helena Frye
Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team represents Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The team plays in Division I of the NCAA and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Beacons play their home games at the Athletics-Recreation Center, which has a capacity of 5,432. The team was formerly known as the Crusaders, but the university retired this name and associated mascot and logos in 2021 due to their negative connotations and use by hate groups. Valparaiso has a rich basketball history, appearing in nine NCAA Tournaments, three NITs, and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Division | I |
| Nickname | Beacons |
| Colors | Brown and Gold |
| University | Valparaiso University |
| Location | Valparaiso, Indiana |
| Conference | Missouri Valley Conference |
| Capacity | 5,432 |
| Record Capacity | 5,444 |
| Former Name | Crusaders |
| First Game | 1917 |
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What You'll Learn
Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team history
The Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team represents Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Beacons compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference in all sports except football, bowling, and men's swimming. The team's colours are brown and gold, and they play their home games at the Athletics-Recreation Center, which has a nominal capacity of 5,432.
The Valparaiso basketball program began in 1917, and the team was inducted into the Valparaiso University Hall of Fame in 2004. They joined the Indiana Collegiate Conference for the 1950-51 season and advanced to the NCAA College Division basketball tournament—the forerunner of the NCAA Division II and Division III tournaments—for the first time in 1962. In 1964, Gene Bartow took over as head coach and led the team to a successful stretch, returning to the College Division tournament in 1966 and 1967.
In 1978, Valparaiso became a Division I school and joined the Heartland Collegiate Conference. They moved to the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference in 1990 and, during this time, experienced more losses than wins. In 1993, the NCAA mandated that schools playing Division I basketball could only play football in Division I, leading Valparaiso to form the Pioneer Football League. They won their first outright championship in 2003, claiming the PFL title.
From 1988 to 2016, the Valparaiso Beacons were coached by Homer Drew, his son Scott Drew, or his other son Bryce Drew. Under their leadership, the team won 10 conference tournament championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament nine times. In 2007, Valparaiso became a member of the Horizon League. The Beacons last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2015.
In 2016, former assistant coach Matt Lottich was promoted to the head coach position. In 2021, the university retired its mascot, the Crusader, due to its negative connotation and use by hate groups. On August 10, 2021, it was announced that Valparaiso's sports teams would be known as the Beacons. The Beacons have since appeared in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, achieving notable victories and advancing to the quarterfinals.
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Valparaiso Beacons' team name change
Valparaiso University's athletic teams, often referred to as Valpo, are based in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. On August 10, 2021, the university announced that its sports teams would be known as the Beacons, replacing the Crusaders moniker that had been in use since 1942. The Beacons moniker was chosen to honour Valpo's strong ties to aviation history and its commitment to assisting students in achieving their full potential.
The Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team represents Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, and competes in the Missouri Valley Conference, having joined in 2017 after a decade in the Horizon League. The Beacons play their home games at the Athletics-Recreation Center, which has a capacity of 5,432. The Valparaiso Beacons have a rich NCAA history and are considered one of the most respected college teams in the nation.
The Beacons name was chosen for its multiple meanings and its ideal fit for the college town outside Chicago. Beacons are used as navigational aids by pilots when flying at night or in low-visibility conditions, serving as guides to lead them safely home or to their destination. This symbolism reflects how Valpo strives for excellence and guides students through life's paths to achieve success. Additionally, beacon lights have long been associated with lighthouses, which have historically guided ships along the coast.
The Valparaiso basketball program began in 1917. They became a Division I school in 1978 and have since appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments, three NITs, two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments, and one College Basketball Invitational. Under the coaching of the Drew family, Valparaiso won 10 conference tournament championships. The team was inducted into the Valparaiso University Hall of Fame in 2004, and an iconic photograph of the players outside Madison Square Garden is displayed outside the Athletics-Recreation Center court.
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Valparaiso Beacons' performance in tournaments
Valparaiso Beacons, previously known as the Valparaiso Crusaders, is the name of the athletic teams from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. The Beacons compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference in all sports except football, bowling, and men's swimming.
The Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team has a rich history, with their earliest notable achievements dating back to World War II when they gained national recognition as "World's Tallest Team". The Beacons have appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 2-9. They have also appeared in three NITs, two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments, and one College Basketball Invitational in 26 years.
The Beacons' most successful period came under head coach Gene Bartow in 1964, when they achieved their greatest stretch of basketball in school history. In 1966 and 1967, the Beacons returned to the College Division tournament, advancing to the Elite Eight in 1967.
The Valparaiso Beacons baseball team also had notable achievements, advancing to the NCAA tournament in 2012 and 2013, where they faced tough opponents such as Purdue, Kentucky, and Austin Peay.
The Valparaiso Beacons women's basketball team began play during the 1971-1972 season and joined the North Star Conference for the 1987-1988 season. In the 1990-1991 season, they reached the finals of the North Star Conference Tournament but lost to DePaul. The women's basketball team has also produced notable athletes, such as Marlous Nieuwveen, the only member to appear in a WNBA game, and Debbie Bolen, who holds 18 single-game records.
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Valparaiso Beacons' coaches
Valparaiso Beacons, the athletic teams representing Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team, formerly known as the Crusaders, has had several notable coaches and periods of success throughout its history.
Loren Ellis
The Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team, or the Crusaders as they were formerly known, began in 1917. During World War II, the team gained recognition as "World's Tallest Team" under head coach Loren Ellis. Ellis recruited tall players, including Don and Wally Warnke, who stood at 6 feet 10 inches. In 1943, after Wally enlisted, Don and other new recruits, including Milt Schoon, Bob Dillie, John Janisch, and Alvin Schmidt, led the team to 17 wins, including a victory over No. 1 DePaul.
Gene Bartow
In 1964, Gene Bartow took over as head coach and led the Crusaders to their most successful stretch in school history. Under Bartow, the team advanced to the College Division tournament in 1966 and 1967, reaching the Elite Eight in the latter year.
Homer Drew and Sons
From 1988 to 2016, the Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team was predominantly coached by Homer Drew and his sons, Scott and Bryce Drew. During this period, Valparaiso Beacons experienced significant success, winning 10 conference tournament championships and appearing in the NCAA tournament nine times.
Matt Lottich
In 2016, Matt Lottich, a former assistant coach, was promoted to the head coach position after Bryce Drew's departure. In his first season, Lottich led the team to a share of the Horizon League regular-season championship but fell short in the Horizon League tournament.
Roger Powell Jr.
As of 2025, Roger Powell Jr. is the current head coach of the Valparaiso Beacons men's basketball team. They compete in the Missouri Valley Conference and play their home games at the Athletics-Recreation Center.
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Valparaiso Beacons' women's basketball team
The Valparaiso Beacons women's basketball team represents Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States. The team began playing in the 1971-1972 season and joined the North Star Conference for the 1987–88 season. In 1990–91, they reached the finals of the North Star Conference Tournament but lost to DePaul. The 1991–92 season was their best in the North Star Conference.
The Beacons have played in the Missouri Valley Conference since 2017, having previously been part of the Horizon League in 2007, the Mid-Continent Conference from 1992 to 2006, and the North Star Conference from 1987 to 1992. They play their home games at the Athletics-Recreation Center, which they share with the men's basketball team. The Beacons have an all-time record of 543–668 as of the end of the 2018–19 season.
The Valparaiso Beacons is the name of the athletic teams from Valparaiso University, often referred to as Valpo. They compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level and are members of the Missouri Valley Conference in all sports except football, bowling, and men's swimming.
The Valparaiso Beacons women's basketball team has had some notable achievements over the years. Debbie Bolen, who played from 1989 to 1993, holds 18 single-game records, season and career women's basketball individual records, including points scored, scoring average, most field goals, most free throws, assists, and steals. Additionally, Marlous Nieuwveen is the only member of the team to have appeared in a WNBA game.
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Frequently asked questions
Valparaiso Beacons compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Valparaiso Beacons compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Valparaiso Beacons joined the Missouri Valley Conference in 2017.
Valparaiso Beacons were previously members of the Horizon League.
