Valpo Athletics and Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment Announce Multimedia Rights Partnership

Van Wagner Sports and Entertainment (VWSE) and Valparaiso University Athletics today announced a long-term agreement granting VWSE Collegiate Services exclusive rights to represent Valpo Athletics for corporate sponsorships, media sales, and more.

In addition to selling and managing Valpo’s local broadcast and digital media assets, VWSE will negotiate and execute corporate partnerships around properties including the Crusaders’ in-venue signage, gameday promotions, rights to athletic marks, and in-venue hospitality packages.

“We are excited to be partnering with Van Wagner,” said Mark LaBarbera, director of athletics at Valpo.  “They bring an understanding of mid-major programs, experienced staff, and expertise in evolving media and communications platforms that will provide strong support as we continue our transition to the Missouri Valley Conference.”

“Van Wagner is honored to launch our partnership with Valpo Athletics, a program steeped in more than 100 years of tradition,” said Mike Palisi, executive vice president of VWSE. “As Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera and his staff build upon the excitement and opportunities afforded with membership of the Missouri Valley Conference, we look forward to creating a substantial corporate partnership program that reflects Valpo’s values and past and future success, and drives value back to all partners.”

Valparaiso University is an independent Lutheran institution in Valparaiso, Indiana, an hour’s drive from Chicago. Founded in 1859, Valpo is home to 10 men’s and 11 women’s NCAA Division I teams representing the Missouri Valley Conference, Summit League, Pioneer Football League and Southland Bowling League.

Since 2014, VWSE Collegiate Services has become a leader in college sports marketing and developed to represent the sponsorship or multimedia rights for multiple schools and athletic conferences, including the America East Conference, Big South Conference, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Colonial Athletic Association, Western Athletic Conference, and the West Coast Conference, as well as Arizona State National Sales, Canisius College, East Tennessee State University, Florida International University, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Liberty University, Longwood University, Loyola University Maryland, Loyola Marymount University, Niagara University, Pepperdine University, Samford University, University of San Francisco, Siena College, Saint Joseph’s University, Santa Clara University, Stony Brook University, and Towson University.