Valpo to Join Missouri Valley Conference
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowValparaiso University says it has accepted an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference. The university, which has spent the last 10 years in the Horizon League, will officially make the move in July with 17 athletics programs competing in MVC play in the 2017-2018 academic year.
The university touted the successes of its men’s basketball team, which has won 14 league regular season titles and nine appearances in the NCAA Tournament in the last 23 years. The team has appeared in the postseason in each of the last three years, including the NIT Championship game in 2016.
Valpo President Mark Heckler calls the move an important step forward "for all of our athletics programs and an opportunity to advance the national standing of Valparaiso University. The Valley is one of the nation’s most historic athletic conferences, and we look forward to actively engaging with its outstanding member institutions and Valley leadership to strengthen both the conference and Valpo Athletics."
The university says its various athletic teams have made 11 NCAA Tournament appearances since the 2011-2012 season. They include softball three in softball, two each in baseball, men’s basketball, and men’s tennis, as well as one each in women’s soccer and men’s golf.
Valpo joined the Horizon League ahead of the 2007-2008 season after spending 25 years in the Mid-Continent Conference.
"Valpo Athletics has a strong tradition of competition with many talented student athletes throughout the Midwest, most recently within the Horizon League," said Heckler. "We are grateful for a decade of competition and collegiality and wish them continued success."