2012 was host to quite a year for ValpoLife Sports! From football to basketball to running and everything in between, it was a busy year for sports in the Vale of Paradise.
We picked 10 of our top stories from the Sports Section on ValpoLife that we felt best represented the year we had telling positive stories in this arena. Take a look below and let us know your favorite of the bunch in the comments!
Ron Santo in the Hall of Fame: Better Late than Never
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On December 6, it was announced that longtime Cubs third baseman and announcer Ron Santo will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in the Class of 2012.
For nearly everyone in Chicagoland, the induction news came was bittersweet, as Santo had passed away nearly one year ago to the day of the announcement. I agree with that sentiment to a point-- it really is a shame he was not honored while he was still with us. But I also have to admit one thought superseded any other for me: “better late than never.”
11 Vikings Ink National Letters of Intent on Spring Signing Day
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On May 23, 2012, about 100 students, teachers, coaches, and parents gathered in the Valparaiso High School cafeteria to celebrate 11 student-athletes at VHS who were signing National Letters of Intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.
"It is quite an honor this year looking at our athletes," stated Mark Hoffman, Athletic Director for VHS. "We had 23 student-athletes who were seniors this year who had a grade point average above 3.7, and some of those you'll meet here today."
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Harlem Wizards Face Off Against Valpo All Stars to Raise Funds for Elementary Schools
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On Tuesday, April 24th, a huge crowd came out to Valparaiso High School to see the Harlem Wizards, a professional entertainment basketball team, take on the Valparaiso All-Stars. The Valparaiso All-Stars featured staff from Central Elementary, Cooks Corners Elementary, Flint Lake Elementary, Hayes Leonard Elementary, Immanuel Lutheran, Northview Elementary, Parkview Elementary, St. Paul Catholic School, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary. The All-Star team also had some local celebrities including the Valparaiso YMCA’s Bob Wanek, the Special Olympics’ Lorrie Woycik, VHS coaches Ben Lieske and Brent Kimmel, the Valparaiso Community Schools Superintendent Andrew Melin, and more!
What an amazing night of family fun! No one left disappointed, as this matchup produced a gym full of exciting basketball, mixed in with Harlem Wizard’s funny and theatrical stunts. They were definitely a crowd pleaser with their captivating stage presence and entertaining audience participation.
VHS Students Create "Hoops for Henryville" Tournament to Raise Funds for Fellow Hoosiers
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A group of Valparaiso High School seniors took action in response to the devastating storms that hit Henryville, Indiana on March 2nd, by creating a 3-on-3 basketball tournament to help raise funds for fellow Hoosiers in need.
The idea for “Hoops for Henryville” came soon after Phillip Russell, a senior at VHS, learned about the tornado outbreak taking place in the southern Indiana and Kentucky region.
Robbie Hummel, the NBA Draft, and the Ultimate Reality Television
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Thursday night marks the evening of one of my absolute favorite non-sports sports events: the NBA Draft. I don’t know what it is about the draft. It could be the crazy trades, crazy suits, or the crazy fans in attendance in New Jersey (which, ironically, no longer has a team).
What I think it is, though, is that the NBA Draft is one of the ultimate reality shows. Millions and millions of dollars are on the line. Fans are on the edges of their seats every five minutes. There is a drama unfolding for three hours where millions will be watching the draft play out and literally not one person knows how the final puzzle will look.
Valparaiso Triathlon Hits 10th Year
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The Valparaiso Triathlon at Rogers Lakewood Park had a spectacular turnout for its 10th year. Nearly 400 people participated in the ¼ mile swimming, 12.4 mile biking, and 3.2 mile running competition. Family, friends and other avid fans of the race followed their heroes throughout the course and energetically cheered them on.
Prior to the race beginning, participants were numbered by a group of volunteers. After their markings were finished, the contestants corralled their bikes onto predetermined racks and began their pre-event stretching.
Mudathletes Have a Muckin' Good Time at 2012 Mudathlon
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Thousands converged on the Greaber Family Farms in Valparaiso for the 2012 Northwest Indiana Mudathlon, the third year the annual mud/obstacle course race has held its event at the farms.
With over 2,000 participants and another 1,000-or-so spectators, the event was packed with people having a great time before, during and after the races. The mudathletes climbed, crawled, slid, and ran through the three-mile course, which featured 40 obstacles that challenged the runners.
NSA Girls Fast Pitch World Series Opening Ceremonies In Downtown Valparaiso A Colorful and Energetic Evening
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What has loads of hairspray, glitter, and wicked changeups? That's right folks, girls softball! And that was the main event happening in downtown Valparaiso Monday July 23, 2012. The Opening Ceremonies for the NSA Girls Fast Pitch World Series were held this year in Valparaiso's Central Park Plaza. "We have the Opening Ceremonies in a different place each year," explained Speros A. Batistatos, President and CEO of South Shore CVA (Convention and Visitors Authority), "We like to keep things fresh. That way businesses become educated about this tourist opportunity, the community gets highlighted, and it brings families together. Due to the down-turned economy, families have been canceling vacations. But they won't cancel something like this. And it's multigenerational! Grandparents, grandkids, aunts and uncles- they all get involved!"
Standing next to Speros was Jason Sands, Director of Sports Development for South Shore Sports Promotions. Jason was in charge of coordination the entire event. "There are 243 teams here today," he stated, "And this event alone had a $1.1 million economic impact!"
Valparaiso High School 2012 Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally, Game and Ceremony
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Last week as leaves in Northwest Indiana turned red and brown, Valparaiso turned green for Valparaiso High School’s 2012 Homecoming week!
We were out with the crowd on Thursday, October 4, 2012 while the students, teachers, and organizers marched in the rain and cold for the Homecoming Parade from Valparaiso High School to Central Park Plaza in downtown Valpo. There, a huge pep rally was held to show support for the Vikings who were getting ready to face off against the Portage Indians the next evening.
Annual Turkey Trot Continues to Grow
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It's that time of year again. With the holidays finally here, it was time for the 9th Annual Valparaiso Turkey Trot. For those that are not familiar with the Turkey Trot, it's a holiday tradition for friends and family of Indiana, Illinois and Michigan to come together and raise money for a good cause by running. What better way to kick off Thanksgiving than with a 5k walk/run and 10k run through the streets of Valparaiso?
Porter-Starke Services Foundation hosted this event for the third year in the row. Proceeds from the race benefit mental health and wellness programs and resources. The proceeds also support substance abuse and prevention in Northwest Indiana. Everyone present this Thanksgiving helped to support our communities.