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Valparaiso Beacons football

(Redirected from Valparaiso Crusaders football)

The Valparaiso Beacons football program is the intercollegiate American football team for Valparaiso University located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) as a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL). Valparaiso's first football team was fielded in 1919. The team plays its home games at the 5,000-seat Brown Field in Valparaiso, Indiana. Andy Waddle has served as the team's head coach since 2025. Valparaiso was known as the Crusaders through the 2019 season.

Valparaiso Beacons football
2026 Valparaiso Beacons football team
First season1919; 107 years ago (1919)
Athletic directorLaurel Hosmer
Head coachAndy Waddle
2nd season, 2–10 (.167)
LocationValparaiso, Indiana
StadiumBrown Field
(capacity: 5,000)
NCAA divisionDivision I FCS
ConferencePioneer Football League
ColorsBrown and gold[1]
   
All-time record407–552–27 (.426)
Bowl record0–1 (.000)
Conference championships
IIC: 1945, 1951, 1952, 1954, 1964, 1968, 1969
PFL: 2000, 2003
Division championships
PFL North: 2003
RivalriesButler (rivalry)
MascotBeacons
WebsiteValpoAthletics.com

History

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Classifications

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  • 1941–1972: NCAA College Division
  • 1973–1978: NCAA Division III
  • 1979–1992: NCAA Division II
  • 1993–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS

Conference memberships

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Year-by-year results

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Head coach George Keogan:
1919 5–3
1920 5–3
Head coach Earl Goheen:
19212–2–1
1922 3–2–2
Head coach William Shadoan:
1923 5–2–1
1924 4–3–2
Head coach Millard Anderson:
19251–6
Head coach Conrad Moll:
19261–4–1
Head coach Earl Scott:
19271–5
19281–6
Head coach J.M. Christianson:
19291–7
1930 5–4
1931 8–1
1932 7–0
1933 7–1
1934 6–2
19354–4–1
19361–6–1
19374–4
19382–4–1
19392–6
19403–3–1
Head coach Victor Dauer:
19410–7–1
Head coach Loren Ellis:
19424–4
1943No Football due to WWII
1944No Football due to WWII
1945 6–1
Head coach Emery Bauer:
19461–7
19472–5–1
19484–5
1949 7–2–1
1950 9–1
1951 9–0
1952 5–3–1
1953 5–2–1
1954 6–2–1
1955 6–3
19566–4
(Walt Reiner joins as a Co-Head Coach):
1957 4–2–2
1958 6–3
1959 5–4
19603–6
1961 7–2
1962 6–3
19633–6
1964 6–3
(Walt Reiner leaves program as Emery Bauer returns full responsibilities):
19653–6
19663–6
19673–6
Head coach Norm Amundsen:
19684–5
1969 7–2
1970 5–3–2
1971 8–2
19726–4
1973 6–5
19743–6
19753–6
19762–7–1
Head coach Bill Koch:
19773–6–1
1978 5–4
1979 5–4
19804–5–1
19811–9
19823–7
19834–6
1984 6–4
1985 6–4
19863–7
19873–6
19880–9–1
Head coach Tom Horne:
19890–10
19901–9
19911–8–1
19923–8
19935–5
1994 7–3
19955–5
19964–6
19973–8
19985–6
1999 9–2
2000 7–4
20013–8
20021–10
2003 8–4
20045–6
Head coach Stacey Adams:
20053–8
20063–8
20075–6
20083–8
20091–10
Head coach Dale Carlson:
20100–11
20111–10
20121–10
20131–10
Head coach Dave Cecchini:
20144–8
20151–9
20164–7
2017 6–5
2018 2–9
Head coach Landon Fox:
2019 1–11
2020 4–2
2021 4–7
2022 5–7
2023 3–8
2024 4–7
Head coach Andy Waddle:
2025 2–10

Bowl game appearances

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SeasonDateBowlW/LOpponentPFPACoachNotes
1950January 1, 1951Cigar BowlLLa Crosse State1447Emery Bauernotes
Total1 bowl game0–11447

Championships

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Conference championships

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Year Conference Coach Overall Record Conference Record
1945Indiana Intercollegiate ConferenceLoren Ellis6–14–0
1951Emory Bauer9–04–0
1952†5–3–13–1–1
19546–2–15–1
1964†6–34–2
1968Norm Amundsen4–54–0
1969†7–23–1
2000†Pioneer Football LeagueTom Horne7–43–1
20038–43–1
Total conference championships 9

† Co-champions

Divisional championships

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From 2001 to 2005, the Pioneer Football League (PFL) was divided into North and South Divisions. As winners of the PFL's North Division, Valparaiso has made one appearance in the Pioneer Football League Championship Game, in 2003. Valparaiso shared the Division title with San Diego in 2003, but the tie-breaker allowed the Crusaders to represent the division in the championship game.

Year Division championship Opponent CG result
2003†PFL NorthMorehead StateW 54–42

† Co-champions

Future non-conference opponents

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Announced schedules as of July 20, 2026.[2]

2026 2027 2028
Lawrence Tech at North Dakota at Youngstown State
at Murray State at Illinois State at Northern Iowa
at Indiana State
 

References

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  1. ↑ "Valpo University Color Palettes". July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Valparaiso Beacons Football Future Schedules". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
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