Valparaiso University’s Robotic Football Team Takes Second Collegiate Conference Championship

04/04/2023 – Valparaiso, Indiana – For the second year in a row, the Valparaiso University Robotic Football Team has won the Brian Hederman Memorial Trophy at the Collegiate Robotic Football Conference Championship. The 12th annual event was held on April 1st at Ohio Northern University. 

“Mia Hamm rightfully said ‘it is more difficult to stay on top than to get there,’” said Sami Khorbotly, Ph.D., chair and professor of electrical and computer engineering and advisor to the Valpo Robotics Team. ” But with our great team of talented and hardworking students, it was not that difficult.”

Robotic football is played between two teams of eight machines, each attempting to push down a 30-yard field. Just like the human version of the sport, robotic football teams compete for touchdowns, kicks, two-point conversions and field goals. Additional points are awarded for successfully thrown and caught passes. 

Robotic football is largely the same as the sport played by humans, with a few variations. A full list of point values and rules can be found here. 

“I am so proud of Valpo Robotics students,” said Khorbotly. “They are winners in class, winners in robotic competitions, and they will be winners in whatever they decide to do when they graduate.”

The Valparaiso Robotic Football program is open to students of all majors with an interest in learning the ins and outs of robotics. The organization is part of the larger Valparaiso Robotics team, which competes in the annual Midwest Robotic Design Competition and the VEX U global competition in addition to the football conference. The team also works with local schools to spread their knowledge and passion for robotics with younger students. 

The Collegiate Robotic Football Conference is a league of Midwestern schools including Valparaiso University, University of Notre Dame, Ohio Northern University, The United States Naval Academy, Indiana Tech, and Purdue University. Learn more about robotics at Valpo at valpo.edu/robotics.