Last Thursday, Valparaiso University and Valpo Athletics welcomed 500 fifth-graders from Valparaiso Community Schools to campus for the second annual women's basketball Kids Day game.
 
Upon their arrival, the youngsters had the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the University campus. They then made their way over to the ARC, where they heard from the Voice of the Beacons, Todd Ickow, who highlighted the ESPN Valparaiso University Productions control room — the hub for all of Valpo's home ESPN+ broadcasts — and the in-arena operations space — which handles all the audio and video production in the ARC during games — and invited the youngsters to check out the areas during the game.
 
The fifth-graders then got a Spirit 101 lesson from the Valpo cheer and dance teams, running through the Valpo fight song and other traditional chants and cheers that echo throughout the ARC. Then, it was time for the game, as the group of youngsters brought great energy throughout the contest.
 
Thank you to Valparaiso Community Schools and all who took part in making our women's basketball Kids Day game a success!