Shattering Records on the Court

College of Nursing and Health Professions student Olivia Czerwonka ’23, ’26 DNP made history in the Valparaiso University tennis program by surpassing the record set by her older sister Claire Czerwonka ’21, ’24 DNP for career doubles victories, achieving her 73rd win on Saturday, February 16, against Butler University. Olivia also broke the program record for career singles wins, finishing her distinguished career with 88 singles victories and 78 doubles triumphs.

The Field of Victory

Baseball Head Coach Brian Schmack joined an exclusive group of program leaders in the spring of 2024 by reaching his 200th career win against Missouri State University on Friday, April 19. The 12-inning game, which Valpo won with a dramatic walk-off home run, allowed Coach Schmack to join former coaches Paul Twenge and the legendary Emory G. Bauer in the program’s 200-win club.

Our Athletes Give Back

At Valparaiso University, athletics programs encourage participants to give back to the community, and our students rose to the occasion. The volleyball program participated in Project Neighborhood, volunteered at the YMCA, and hosted a clinic. Meanwhile, the cross country and track & field programs volunteered at the Girls on the Run 5k in November and the Popcorn Fest 5k. The men’s and women’s basketball teams participated in events across the region to benefit local youth, and the football program raised over $10,000 for the Special Olympics through the team’s Polar Plunge fundraiser. Learn more about how our athletes impact the community here.

Excelling in the Classroom

Men’s cross country, men’s swimming, men’s golf, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, and tennis all earned perfect scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR). This continued Valpo’s three-year streak of tying for or achieving first place in the Missouri Valley Conference in the number of teams with perfect multi-year APR scores. The department has totaled 23 perfect APR scores over the last three years.

Greatness on the Golf Course

It was another banner year for the men’s golf program, culminating in Anthony Delisanti ’25 earning a national postseason tournament title by winning the National Golf Invitational in May with an impressive 54-hole score of 201 (-15). Caleb VanArragon ’23, ’24 M.S. was named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Year and earned an NCAA Regional at-large berth for the second straight season. VanArragon also garnered First Team Academic All-American honors for the second consecutive year, becoming the first two-time First Team Academic All-American in Valpo Athletics history across all sports. The Valpo trio of VanArragon, Delisanti, and Adam Melliere ’27 accounted for three of the top five finishers at the MVC Championship.

Program Peaks

The men’s track & field program finished the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships with 31 points, its highest point total in its 13 MVC Championships (indoor and outdoor) since joining the league. Ethan Litavecz earned Outdoor All-MVC honors in the javelin and secured a third-place finish. The track & field and cross country programs totaled 37 entries into their program record books and set 10 program records during the 2023-24 season.

Program Peaks

The men’s track & field program finished the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships with 31 points, its highest point total in its 13 MVC Championships (indoor and outdoor) since joining the league. Ethan Litavecz earned Outdoor All-MVC honors in the javelin and secured a third-place finish. The track & field and cross country programs totaled 37 entries into their program record books and set 10 program records during the 2023-24 season.