Konkol brings a passion for athletics to Valparaiso
Part II: Valpo's new President-Elect believes athletics can be a front porch for the institution
This is the second of a two-part series surrounding the arrival of Rev. Brian Konkol, Valparaiso’s new President-Elect. The first part focused on Konkol’s introduction to campus on Friday as well as a view into his leadership and vision for Valparaiso University. This second part focuses on Konkol’s view of the role of collegiate athletics amid the ever-changing national landscape.
The Victory Bell is a subscription-based website/newsletter that covers Valparaiso University athletics. The cost is $5.99/month or $59.99/year. While Part I was free and available to all readers, Part II is available only to paid subscribers. If you’re interested in Valparaiso University athletics, I’d encourage you to subscribe. If you have any questions, please email me at ValpoVictoryBell@gmail.com. I appreciate your support. - PO
The Rev. Brian Konkol was very visible at the Athletics-Recreation Center during his whirlwind trip to Valparaiso last weekend.
That wasn’t an accident.
Konkol spent the weekend in Valparaiso after being announced as the President-Elect last Tuesday. He returned to Syracuse on Sunday as he prepares for his eventual move to Northwest Indiana with an official start date of Jan. 1, 2026.
The former college basketball player felt right at home on Friday as he visited with Roger Powell Jr. and Courtney Boyd at their respective practices.
Konkol then spent much of Saturday touring the ARC and taking in the men’s basketball game along with Valparaiso director of athletics Laurel Hosmer. The afternoon culminated with Konkol praying on the court after the game and celebrating with the victorious Beacons in the locker room.
While Konkol also spent time at Chapel Break as well as at Valparaiso’s annual Vespers concert, it was clear from his actions that athletics is more than just a passing thought in his mind. That was evidenced by the words he used when he met with the local media on Friday morning.
In Part II of The Victory Bell’s introduction to Valparaiso’s new President-Elect, Konkol shares his thoughts on the role of athletics in higher education and how the hurdles of Name, Image and Likeness may present themselves at a school like Valpo.