By WJBC Staff

ST. LOUIS – Valparaiso University has accepted an invitation to join the Missouri Valley Conference this fall.

The Indiana school becomes the league’s 10th team to join, following the departure of Wichita State which left this spring to join the American Athletic Conference.

“We are truly excited to welcome Valparaiso University to our Missouri Valley Conference family,” said MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin. “Valpo brings a combination of strong athletics tradition and academic excellence, and will be a great fit competing in our league.”

President Dan Bradley, Chair of the MVC Presidents Council, added: “Valparaiso University has very high academic standards, and will be a wonderful addition to the league. Valpo also has a strong, recognized athletics brand, and many Missouri Valley members are excited at the opportunity to renew old rivalries.”

Valparaiso sponsors all 17 sports in which the MVC conducts a championship, including men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, softball, baseball, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, women’s tennis and women’s swimming. Valpo also offers football in the Pioneer Football League; men’s tennis, men’s swimming, and women’s bowling in the Southland Bowling League.

Valpo’s men’s basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice in the last six years as members of the Horizon League. Baseball has two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past five years, while men’s golf, women’s soccer and softball have also competed in the NCAA Tournament at least once in the past five seasons.

Founded in 1859, Valparaiso University is an independent Lutheran institution, located in Valparaiso, Ind., approximately one hour east of Chicago. With more than 4,000 students, Valpo has five colleges, a graduate school and a law school.

“This is an exciting time for Valparaiso University and our athletics programs,” said Valparaiso President Mark Heckler. “We are fortunate to join the historic, tradition-rich Missouri Valley Conference. Membership in the Valley will increase the national profile of our institution and our athletics program, and we will undoubtedly contribute to the strength and character of the conference.”