The #21 Valpo bowling team will host its annual early-season tournament this weekend, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, rebranded as the Windy City Halloween Classic and held at River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines, Ill.
 
The tournament features a 14-team field — in addition to the host Beacons, the field includes Alabama A&M, Aurora, Carroll, Carthage, Elmhurst, Lewis, Marian (Wis.), #10 Maryville, #15 McKendree, UIndy, Western Illinois, #13 UW-Whitewater and #20 Wright State.
 
The tournament opens Friday morning at 9:35 a.m., with the first day of competition comprised by five 5-game baker matches. Saturday morning features a senior recognition ceremony at 8:45 a.m., with the day's five traditional team matches beginning at 9:25 a.m. Action closes on Sunday with three best-of-seven baker matches in bracket play starting at 8:25 a.m.
 
Valpo has hosted an early-season tournament in 16 of the program's 17 seasons, the only exception being the 2020-21 season when its scheduled tournament was canceled due to COVID concerns. The program has also hosted a pair of spring tournaments as well. This is the first year the Beacons will host a tournament at River Rand Bowl, making it the sixth different facility the program has held a home tournament at.

Valpo Bowling Home Tournament History
Nov. 13-14, 2009 – Crusader Classic (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 3^rd/5 – Minnesota State-Mankato tournament champions – Sarah Stettner (UW-Whitewater) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 12-14, 2010 – Crusader Classic (Stardust Bowl II; Merrillville, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 3^rd/7 – Nebraska tournament champions – Natalie Cortese (Valpo) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 11-13, 2011 – Crusader Classic (Stardust Bowl II; Merrillville, Ind.) – Valpo tournament champions; 1^st/9 – Ashley Rucker (Arkansas State) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 9-11, 2012 – Crusader Classic (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 6^th/10 – Central Missouri tournament champions – Liz Kuhlkin (Nebraska) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 8-10, 2013 – Crusader Classic (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 11^th/14 – Arkansas State tournament champions – Sarah Lokker (Arkansas State) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 7-9, 2014 – Crusader Classic (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 10^th/14 – Nebraska tournament champions – Liz Kuhlkin (Nebraska) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 6-8, 2015 – Crusader Classic (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 7^th/14 – McKendree tournament champions – Gazmine Mason (Nebraska) tournament MVP
 
Oct. 22-23, 2016 – Crusader Challenge (Inman's Recreation Center; Valparaiso, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 3^rd/6 – McKendree tournament champions – Olivia Wirtz (Valpo) tournament MVP
 
Feb. 17-19, 2017 – Crusader Classic (Lakewood Bowl; Richton Park, Ill.) – Valpo finishes 10^th/11 – Nebraska tournament champions – Julia Bond (Nebraska) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 4-5, 2017 – Crusader Challenge (Lynwood Bowl; Lynwood, Ill.) – Valpo finishes 2^nd/6 – UW-Whitewater tournament champions – Hannah Forton (Valpo) tournament MVP
 
Feb. 9-11, 2018 – Crusader Classic (Lakewood Bowl; Richton Park, Ill.) – No team standings due to weather and travel concerns – Raquel Oroczo (Nebraska) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 2-4, 2018 – Crusader Classic (Lynwood Bowl; Lynwood, Ill.) – Valpo finishes 4^th/10 – Kentucky Wesleyan tournament champions – Kailee Tubbs (UW-Whitewater) tournament MVP
 
Nov. 1-3, 2019 – Crusader Classic (Lynwood Bowl; Lynwood, Ill.) – Valpo finishes 3^rd/11 – Drury tournament champions – Alexis Roof (Valpo) tournament MVP
 
2020-21 season – No tournament (Crusader Classic scheduled for Oct. 30-Nov. 1 canceled due to COVID concerns)
 
Oct. 29-31, 2021 – Valpo Bowling Classic (Stardust Bowl III; Dyer, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 6^th/15 – Lincoln Memorial tournament champions – Haley Youker (Mercyhurst) tournament MVP
 
Oct. 28-30, 2022 – Valpo Bowling Classic (Stardust Bowl III; Dyer, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 5^th/17 – UW-Whitewater tournament champions – Addyson Schiffelbein (Newman) tournament MVP
 
Oct. 27-29, 2023 – Valpo Bowling Classic (Stardust Bowl III; Dyer, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 6^th/17 – Maryville tournament champions – Haley Powell (Lincoln Memorial) tournament MVP
 
Oct. 25-27, 2024 – Valpo Bowling Classic (Stardust Bowl III; Dyer, Ind.) – Valpo finishes 3^rd/7 – UW-Whitewater tournament champions – Mariana Santos-Rivero (UMES) tournament MVP