The Valparaiso University football program kicked off its fall camp on Wednesday, marking the first full‑scale workouts of the preseason and setting the tone for what coaches hope will be a breakthrough year.
Head coach Andy Waddle took the opportunity to underline the squad’s chemistry, saying the group has come together in a way that feels different from previous years and that the players are buying into a shared vision.
A Unified Vision
Among the returnees, senior Nic Lendino is back after a breakout season that earned him All‑PFL Honorable Mention and Defensive Player of the Year honors, while junior Rowan Keefe is entering his second year in the same offensive system, showing noticeable development.
Veteran safety Mark Johnson, who has logged 33 career appearances in the secondary, also expressed confidence in the defensive unit’s depth and experience.
Season Opener and Experience
The Beacons will open the season at home against Lawrence Tech on August 29 at 1 p.m., a game that will be played at Brown Field and serve as an early test of the new‑look roster.
Adding to the optimism, the team boasts 19 players who are in their fourth or fifth year of eligibility, a factor that Waddle believes will provide stability and experience as they aim to replicate the late‑season surge they achieved last year.