Valparaiso Beacons head coach Roger Powell Jr. is leveraging his Chicago roots to build the program's future. On December 16, 2025, Powell was photographed conferring with guard Justus McNair during the first half of a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois. The image captures a moment in Powell's ongoing effort to connect the Beacons with the rich basketball talent pool of the Chicago area.
The feature, written by Jonathan Lidskin and published on November 11, 2026, examines how Powell's local ties influence recruiting and team culture at Valparaiso.
