UWM Welcomes Valparaiso To Horizon LeagueMay 17, 2006
Printable Horizon League Release Valparaiso University will join the Horizon League on July 1, 2007. The official announcement was made this afternoon by school and league officials in Valparaiso, Ind. The addition was welcomed by UWM officials, who see Valpo as a strong fit for the league in a number of ways. The addition of Valpo will also restart a number of rivalries between the Panthers and Crusaders. This will not be the first time the two schools are in the same league. During UWM's brief stint in the Mid-Continent Conference (1993-94), Valpo was also a member. The full details of the move by Valparaiso are available in a release from the Horizon League, which is above in a printable version. Below are UWM's comments and notes on the addition of the Crusaders to the Horizon League. UWM Athletics Director Bud Haidet "Adding a 10th member to our league has been a priority, and we have made a fine choice in Valparaiso. It is a strong fit both geographically and athletically, and I think it is a move that will please many of our alums and supporters. Obviously, many people will immediately look toward the impact this will have on basketball, and it clearly will help our league's strength on both the men's and women's side. It will help with scheduling and Valpo should be a strong draw when they come to Milwaukee. But Valpo has also had success in a number of other sports, and this should have a positive impact on every sport the League offers." UWM Men's Basketball Coach Rob Jeter "It is exciting to add a school with a strong basketball tradition like Valparaiso. They will certainly strengthen our league in men's basketball. They have a tremendous coach in Homer Drew, who has always had them playing at a very high level. Plus, with a large number of Valpo alums in our area and our fans' history of traveling to Valparaiso when we have played there, this will create another strong league rivalry for us." UWM Women's Basketball Coach Sandy Botham "It is a great addition to our league. Valparaiso has had a lot of athletic success, particularly in women's and men's basketball, and that will only help to make the Horizon League stronger and more competitive. The school is a great fit, not just because of its competitive athletics program, but because of its proximity to the other league schools." Notes on the UWM/Valparaiso series in various team sports: Men's Basketball - Valpo leads 7-5 • The two teams last met in 2004 • In that meeting, the Crusaders claimed an upset win, handing the Panthers their first loss of the season after a 6-0 start • The meeting completed a five-game series between the two schools Women's Basketball - UWM leads 5-2 • The last meeting came in 2001 • Valpo has won the last two meetings between the two teams after UWM opened the series by winning five-straight. Women's Volleyball - Valpo leads 9-8 • The two teams first met in 1982 • The last meeting came in 2001 • UWM has won five-straight in the series Men's Soccer - UWM leads 1-0 • The only meeting between the two teams came in 1993, when the Panthers claimed a 7-0 win • The two schools are scheduled to meet in an exhibition match in August Women's Soccer - UWM leads 7-0 • The last meeting between the two teams came in 2002, a 4-1 win by Milwaukee • The Panthers have outscored the Crusaders, 39-2, in the seven meetings Baseball - UWM leads 12-4 • The last two meetings came in 2005, including one contest at Miller Park • UWM has won four in a row and 11 of the last 13 games against Valpo |
