Valparaiso Beacons basketball — program history
Valparaiso's basketball program dates to 1917, and the northwest Indiana school competes in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Beacons (formerly Crusaders) achieved national fame with a stunning 1998 NCAA Tournament run.
The name
The Beacons name was adopted in 2021, replacing "Crusaders," to represent a guiding light — fitting for the university's Lutheran heritage and mission.
Signature moment
Bryce Drew's iconic buzzer-beating three-pointer against Ole Miss in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, drawn up by his father and coach Homer Drew — one of the most famous shots in tournament history.
The play that produced Bryce Drew's 1998 buzzer-beater was designed by his father, coach Homer Drew, and is simply known as "The Shot" — it remains one of March Madness's most replayed moments.
The Valparaiso Beacons compete in the MVC and hold an all-time record of 1223–1136 (.518 winning percentage) across 91 recorded seasons dating back to 1917-18.
Season-by-season results
* Season vacated by the NCAA — absent from the official season table; record computed from the game log and not counted in official totals or rankings.
More MVC programs
Belmont Bruins · Bradley Braves · Drake Bulldogs · Evansville Purple Aces · Illinois State Redbirds · Indiana State Sycamores · Murray State Racers · Northern Iowa Panthers · Southern Illinois Salukis · UIC Flames
All Division I programs · Historical rankings · Championship journeys · Hoopsipedia home