Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame Upgrades to Digital Display

The Valparaiso University Department of Athletics has announced the transition of the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame to a state-of-the-art, digitized, interactive touchscreen display, replacing the department’s traditional wall of plaques.

Located inside the main Athletics-Recreation Center lobby between the ticket office and the arena, the display will provide fans who attend events at the ARC with the opportunity to learn about the department’s rich history through a dynamic digital experience.

The Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed its 28^th class in 2026. It was established in 1998 to pay tribute to and recognize former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, teams and support personnel who have made exceptional contributions to Valpo athletic programs or have distinguished themselves in their athletics-related career. Additionally, outstanding teams, whose records of achievement have brought honor to Valparaiso University and its programs, have also been honored by induction to the Hall of Fame.

“Recognizing and building upon our tradition and history is at the root of everything we do as an athletic department,” Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation Laurel Hosmer said. “As we reach into the future, this modernized approach to celebrating the legends of our past will elevate our fan experience and reshape the way we tell the story of the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame.” 

The digital display was made possible through a generous, six-figure gift from Clyde L. Berger ’51, a former member of the Valpo men’s track & field team specializing in the hurdles and high jump. He was the program recordholder in the high jump at the time of his graduation. The generosity that Clyde and his late wife Patricia O. Berger ‘53 have shown during the course of their life is a testament to the spirit of Valparaiso University. Through their generous gift, the Berger Family Endowed Fund will help tell the Valpo Athletics story for years to come.  

“Our parents wanted to give a meaningful gift to Valpo as they received so many meaningful gifts from the school,” Clyde and Patricia’s children Bruce Berger, Heidi (Berger) Kossakowski ’84 and Bryan Berger said. “A Cleveland girl and a Milwaukee boy met on campus in the spring of 1950, dated, fell in love and got married in July of 1953. Our parents developed lifelong friends at Valpo; there was an instant connection to other Valpo graduates no matter the community they moved to. Their Lutheran faith was strengthened at Valpo and gave them steadfast courage during life’s challenges. Each of them continued to give back to Valpo for many years beyond their time on campus. Our parents shared their love of Valpo through stories imparted to us kids, through visits at Homecoming and through meeting a multitude of friends in their post-Valpo orbit. Valparaiso University has always held a very special place in their hearts.”

Click here for more to learn more about the Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame and to explore the web version of the digital display.