Following his departure from Fayetteville State, longtime CIAA men’s basketball coach Luke D’Alessio has found his new home within the conference.
Bluefield State Big Blue, the reigning CIAA championship runner-up, will continue under Coach D’Alessio.
This will serve as an unofficial trade, as former Bluefield State head coach Devin Hoehn, who left the team last month, is now the head coach at Fayetteville State.
“I would like to thank President Dr. Darrin Martin, Brodderick Tucker, and Ryan Bailey for giving me this great opportunity,” said D’Alessio upon the announcement of being hired as Bluefield State’s next men’s basketball coach. “I am honored, blessed, and privileged to represent Bluefield State University, and I’m excited to build on the recent success of the men’s basketball program. I can’t wait to get started and be a part of the Big Blue family.”
Coach D’Alessio spent the last five seasons at Fayetteville State (not including the 2020-2021 season, which was canceled due to COVID-19), compiling a 103-52 overall record.
He led the Broncos to two CIAA South division championships and a CIAA tournament championship in the 2022 season.
Before his time at Fayetteville State, D’Alessio coached 10 seasons at Bowie State, finishing with a 199-96 overall record.
His best season with the Bulldogs came in 2003, when he led the team to a CIAA championship and advanced to the Division II National Tournament Final Four.
Last season, Bluefield State posted its first winning record since officially joining the CIAA, posting a 19-11 mark.
In the CIAA tournament, they advanced to their first championship game in school history after knocking off Fayetteville State in the semifinals.
