Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Valparaiso Crusaders Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Valparaiso University
in Valparaiso
, Indiana
. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League
. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004
. The Crusaders are currently coached by Bryce Drew
, who is in his 1st year. Bryce replaced his father, Valparaiso coaching legend Homer Drew
, in May of 2011. The Crusaders play in the Athletics-Recreation Center
, which has a capacity of 5,432.
. Under the coaching of Sidney Winters, the team lost to Chicago. The team would finish 7-2 that year http://www.valpo.edu/athletics/assets/mediaguides/MBB-2006-2007-01.pdf. In 1988, Homer Drew took the job as head coach and remained until retiring in May 2011. He was then succeeded by his son Bryce. 1988 would also be the year that the Crusaders defeated Number 19 Notre Dame in a game that came to be known as "The Lutheran Miracle."
-1945
team was billed as "The World's Tallest Team."http://www.valpo.edu/athletics/assets/mediaguides/MBB-2006-2007-01.pdf That year, they defeated Long Island University
in a game played in Madison Square Garden
.
for the 1950
-1951
season. The Crusaders advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1961
-1962
. In 1968
-1969
, they hosted an NCAA tournament game for the first time.
-1979
season. After four years as an independent, they became charter members of the AMCU.
, the Crusaders became a conference power. They won their first Mid-Continent championship in 1995
, led by star player Bryce Drew
. However, the team was not invited to the NCAA Tournament
. The Crusaders won the 1996
conference championship and received their first invitation to the Division I NCAA Tournament. In the 1998 Tournament
, the Crusaders won their first Tournament game, defeating the University of Mississippi
on a last second shot
by Bryce Drew. The Crusaders would go on to win their second round game against Florida State University
before losing in the Sweet 16 to the University of Rhode Island
. The Crusaders would win the Mid-Continent Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament every year until 2001
, when Southern Utah University
won the conference tournament. In Coach Scott Drew
's only year as head coach, the team advanced to the National Invitation Tournament
where they lost to the University of Iowa
in their first game televised by ESPN
. They would play in the title game of the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament every year between 1995
and 2004
.
. Their combined record is 2-7.
, the student-run campus radio station, also broadcasts select Crusader games on 95.1 FM and on the station's website.
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
in Valparaiso
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. The school's team currently competes in the Horizon League
Horizon League
The Horizon League is a ten school, NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located in five of the Midwestern United States....
. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2004
2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
. The Crusaders are currently coached by Bryce Drew
Bryce Drew
Bryce Homer Drew is the head coach, and a former member, of the Valparaiso University Crusader men's basketball team...
, who is in his 1st year. Bryce replaced his father, Valparaiso coaching legend Homer Drew
Homer Drew
Homer Drew is a former American college basketball coach, most recently for Valparaiso University Crusaders men's basketball team. His younger son, Bryce Drew, succeeded him as the head coach in May 2011...
, in May of 2011. The Crusaders play in the Athletics-Recreation Center
Athletics-Recreation Center
The Athletics–Recreation Center is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Valparaiso, Indiana, United States, located at 1009 Union Street. It serves as the home court for Valparaiso University men's and women's basketball teams as well as the volleyball team...
, which has a capacity of 5,432.
The beginning
The Crusaders' first game was in 19171917 in sports
-American football:College championship* College football national championship – Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets -Association football:Europe* There is no major football in Europe due to World War I...
. Under the coaching of Sidney Winters, the team lost to Chicago. The team would finish 7-2 that year http://www.valpo.edu/athletics/assets/mediaguides/MBB-2006-2007-01.pdf. In 1988, Homer Drew took the job as head coach and remained until retiring in May 2011. He was then succeeded by his son Bryce. 1988 would also be the year that the Crusaders defeated Number 19 Notre Dame in a game that came to be known as "The Lutheran Miracle."
The tallest team
The 19441944 in sports
1944 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War II-American football:* Green Bay Packers defeats 14-7 New York Giants in New York City for the NFL title...
-1945
1945 in sports
1945 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.Note — many sporting events did not take place because of World War II-American football:...
team was billed as "The World's Tallest Team."http://www.valpo.edu/athletics/assets/mediaguides/MBB-2006-2007-01.pdf That year, they defeated Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
in a game played in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
.
Conference affiliation
The Crusaders would join the Indiana Collegiate ConferenceIndiana Collegiate Conference
The Indiana Collegiate Conference was a college athletic conference in the United States from 1951 to 1979. It consisted of schools in Indiana....
for the 1950
1950 in sports
-American football:* NFL Championship – Cleveland Browns win 30–28 over the Los Angeles Rams* Oklahoma Sooners – college football champions.* Coaches Poll established to rank top 20 American college football teams-Association football:...
-1951
1951 in sports
1951 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* January 14 – The National Football League has its first Pro Bowl Game ....
season. The Crusaders advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 1961
1961 in sports
1961 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* AFL Championship – Houston Oilers won 10-3 over the San Diego Chargers* NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 37-0 over the New York Giants...
-1962
1962 in sports
1962 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-American football:* AFL Championship – Dallas Texans won 20-17 over the Houston Oilers in double overtime* NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 16-7 over the New York Giants...
. In 1968
1968 in sports
1968 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall champion: Jean-Claude Killy, France** Women's overall champion: Nancy Greene, Canada-American football:...
-1969
1969 in sports
1969 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall champion: Karl Schranz, Austria** Women's overall champion: Gertrud Gabl, Austria-American football:...
, they hosted an NCAA tournament game for the first time.
Division I
The Crusaders joined Division I before the 19781978 in sports
1978 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein-American football:...
-1979
1979 in sports
1979 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Peter Lüscher, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Austria-American football:...
season. After four years as an independent, they became charter members of the AMCU.
NCAA tournament
Under coach Homer DrewHomer Drew
Homer Drew is a former American college basketball coach, most recently for Valparaiso University Crusaders men's basketball team. His younger son, Bryce Drew, succeeded him as the head coach in May 2011...
, the Crusaders became a conference power. They won their first Mid-Continent championship in 1995
1995 in basketball
-Professional:*Men**1995 NBA Finals: Houston Rockets over the Orlando Magic 4-0. MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon*** 1995 NBA Playoffs***1994–95 NBA season***1995 NBA Draft**Eurobasket: Yugoslavia 96, Lithuania 90*Women**Eurobasket Women: Ukraine def. Italy...
, led by star player Bryce Drew
Bryce Drew
Bryce Homer Drew is the head coach, and a former member, of the Valparaiso University Crusader men's basketball team...
. However, the team was not invited to the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. The Crusaders won the 1996
1996 in basketball
-1996 Olympics:*Men: United States of America 96, Yugoslavia 69*Women: United States of America 111, Australia 87-Professional:*Men**1996 NBA Finals: Chicago Bulls over the Seattle SuperSonics 4-2...
conference championship and received their first invitation to the Division I NCAA Tournament. In the 1998 Tournament
1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1998, and ended with the championship game on March 30 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,...
, the Crusaders won their first Tournament game, defeating the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
on a last second shot
The Shot (Valparaiso University)
For supporters of Valparaiso University's Crusaders, "The Shot" refers to a play that occurred in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. The play came in Valpo's game against the University of Mississippi Rebels at The Myriad in Oklahoma City on March 13, 1998, and won the #13 seed Crusaders...
by Bryce Drew. The Crusaders would go on to win their second round game against Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
before losing in the Sweet 16 to the University of Rhode Island
University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West...
. The Crusaders would win the Mid-Continent Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament every year until 2001
2001 in basketball
-Professional:*Men**2001 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers over the Philadelphia 76ers 4-1. MVP: Shaquille O'Neal***2000–01 NBA season**Eurobasket: Yugoslavia 78, Turkey 69*Women**WNBA Finals: Los Angeles Sparks over the Charlotte Sting 2-0. MVP: Lisa Leslie...
, when Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University, or SUU, is located in Cedar City, Utah. It was founded in 1897 as an extension of the Agricultural College of Utah, by the citizens of Cedar City.During its history, the school has been known as:...
won the conference tournament. In Coach Scott Drew
Scott Drew
-References:...
's only year as head coach, the team advanced to the National Invitation Tournament
2003 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals & Finals:*Third Place - Texas Tech 71, Minnesota 61St. John's later vacated the title due to an ineligible player....
where they lost to the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
in their first game televised by ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
. They would play in the title game of the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament every year between 1995
1995 in basketball
-Professional:*Men**1995 NBA Finals: Houston Rockets over the Orlando Magic 4-0. MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon*** 1995 NBA Playoffs***1994–95 NBA season***1995 NBA Draft**Eurobasket: Yugoslavia 96, Lithuania 90*Women**Eurobasket Women: Ukraine def. Italy...
and 2004
2004 in basketball
-Olympics:*Men*: *: *: *Women*: *: *: -Professional:*Men**2004 NBA Finals: Detroit Pistons over the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1. MVP: Chauncey Billups***2003-04 NBA season***2004 NBA Playoffs**Eurobasket: None.**Euroleague:...
.
All time tournament results
The Crusaders have appeared in seven NCAA TournamentsNCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
. Their combined record is 2-7.
| Year | Seed | | First Round Winner | | First Round Loser | | Second Round Winner | Second Round Loser | | Sweet 16 Winner | | Sweet 16 Loser | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena in... |
14 | Arizona Arizona Wildcats men's basketball The Arizona Wildcats basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The team competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I. They are currently coached by Sean Miller.Arizona has a long and rich... |
90 | Valparaiso | 51 | ||||||||
| 1997 1997 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1997 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 1997, and ended with the championship game on March 31 in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
12 | Boston College Boston College Eagles men's basketball The Boston College Eagles are a Division I college basketball program that represents Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA. The team has competed in the ACC since 2005, having previously played in the Big East. Home games have been played at the Conte Forum since 1988, having previously been played... |
73 | Valparaiso | 66 | ||||||||
| 1998 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 1998, and ended with the championship game on March 30 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,... |
13 | Valparaiso | 70 | Mississippi Ole Miss Rebels University of Mississippi sports teams, originally known as the "Mississippi Flood" , were re-named the Rebels in 1936 and compete in the twelve-member Southeastern Conference of the NCAA's Division I. The school's colors are cardinal red and navy blue , purposely chosen to mirror the school... |
69 | Valparaiso | 83 | Florida State Florida State Seminoles The Florida State Seminoles are the men's and women's sports teams of Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State participates in the NCAA's Division I . FSU joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1991, and competes in the Atlantic Division in any sports split into a... |
77 | Rhode Island University of Rhode Island The University of Rhode Island is the principal public research university in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. Its main campus is located in Kingston. Additional campuses include the Feinstein Campus in Providence, the Narragansett Bay Campus in Narragansett, and the W. Alton Jones Campus in West... |
74 | Valparaiso | 68 |
| 1999 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1999 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1999, and ended with the championship game on March 29 at Tropicana Field in St.... |
15 | Maryland Maryland Terrapins men's basketball The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition... |
82 | Valparaiso | 60 | ||||||||
| 2000 2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2000 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2000, and ended with the championship game on April 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
16 | Michigan State Michigan State Spartans men's basketball The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center... |
65 | Valparaiso | 38 | ||||||||
| 2002 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta, Georgia... |
13 | Kentucky Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647... |
83 | Valparaiso | 68 | ||||||||
| 2004 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2004 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 16, 2004, and ended with the championship game on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio,... |
15 | Gonzaga Gonzaga Bulldogs The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the athletic teams at Gonzaga University; the term applies to any of the school's varsity teams. Gonzaga University is a member of the West Coast Conference, which participates in the NCAA Division I... |
76 | Valparaiso | 49 | ||||||||
Radio
All Crusader games are broadcast for free on the Valparaiso website at www.valpo.edu/athletics. WVUR-FMWVUR-FM
WVUR-FM, The Source 95 is the student-run College radio station of Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz FM.-Programming and promotion:The Source 95 is an entirely student operated variety station...
, the student-run campus radio station, also broadcasts select Crusader games on 95.1 FM and on the station's website.
Crusaders in the NBA
- Don BielkeDon BielkeDonald P. "Don" Bielke is a retired American basketball player.He played collegiately for the Valparaiso University.He was selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 8th round of the 1954 NBA Draft....
- Bob DilleBob DilleRobert Orville "Bob" Dille is a retired American professional basketball player and championship high school coach. Dille was an All-American forward at Valparaiso and later coached Fort Wayne's Northrop High School to an Indiana state championship in 1974...
- Bryce DrewBryce DrewBryce Homer Drew is the head coach, and a former member, of the Valparaiso University Crusader men's basketball team...
- John Janisch
- Milt SchoonMilt SchoonMilton W. Schoon is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6-foot-7, 230-pound center, Schoon played for Valparaiso University during the 1940s, gaining fame for his ability to defend top-ranked player George Mikan of DePaul University...
See also
- Valparaiso CrusadersValparaiso CrusadersThe Valparaiso University Crusaders compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I .Valparaiso competes in the Horizon League in all sports except for football, which is not sponsored by the conference. The football team is a member of the Pioneer Football League. On May 27,...
- The Shot (Valparaiso University)The Shot (Valparaiso University)For supporters of Valparaiso University's Crusaders, "The Shot" refers to a play that occurred in the first round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. The play came in Valpo's game against the University of Mississippi Rebels at The Myriad in Oklahoma City on March 13, 1998, and won the #13 seed Crusaders...
- 2007-08 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball team2007-08 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball teamThe 2007–08 Valparaiso Crusaders men's basketball team was a NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Horizon League.-Preseason:...
- Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso UniversityValparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...