By Justin Breen
Gary (Ind.) Post-Tribune
When Bill Rogers joined the Valparaiso University sports department, Homer Drew hadn’t even arrived yet.
Rogers, who arrived at VU in July of 1987, announced on Friday his resignation as the school’s sports information director and assistant athletics director for media relations. He will be replaced by current assistantd director of sports media relations Ryan Wronkowicz on Aug. 5.
“Bill Rogers is Valparaiso athletics,” Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera said. “We won’t be able to replace Bill’s institutional memory. I could walk into his office and ask him about any football, basketball or baseball player in the last 15 years, and he can tell me about him.”
Rogers resigned to take a position as Sales/Marketing Representative for Microbac Laboratories Inc. in Merrillville.
Rogers served as the primary contact for men’s basketball, football and baseball. One of his first actions was to organize the press conference announcing Homer Drew as coach prior to the 1988-89 season.
“I would like to thank the entire university for 18 wonderful years,” Rogers, a graduate of Ohio State, said in a statement. “The friendships and camaraderie that I had the privilege of developing with the athletics staff, students, administration, media, fans and other colleagues over nearly two decades have made me a better person.”
Wronkowicz, who joined the VU staff in August of 2000, said he’s excited with the new position.
“I look at it as a great opportunity,” the 1999 Bowling Green graduate said. “Bill’s been great, and I’ve learned a lot from him. I just hope to continue what we’ve done in this office in the five years I’ve been here.”
Said Rogers: “The transition will be smooth because (Ryan) is an outstanding professional who is well-respected by everyone.”
A search for Wronkowicz’s successor is taking place. Wronkowicz, who has been the primary contact for all of the women’s sports, as well as men’s soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming and track and field, said he’d like to have a replacement by the end of August.