Championship Coach Steve Luby Leading Dawgs In 2021

Little Falls, NY – The Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League (PGCBL) have announced that two-time PGCBL Championship Coach Steve Luby has been promoted to head coach.

Luby who has been with the DiamondDawgs organization for six seasons has served both as an Associate and Assistant Head Coach and has compiled a 117-73 record. He replaces former Head Coach Cory Haggerty who is stepping down due to family commitments and obligations.

“The Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs are thrilled to announce today that Coach Steve Luby will be taking over the reins as our next head coach”, said DiamondDawgs Owner and President Travis Heiser. “Coach Luby has been a tremendous asset to this organization and brings a work ethic and character like no other. He is a blue-collar guy like the people of the Mohawk Valley and represents everything our organization strives to be.”

Heiser also thanked Coach Haggerty, “On behalf of our entire organization I would like to thank Coach Haggerty for his commitment and dedication to this organization. During his time here he has led the DiamondDawgs to two consecutive playoff appearances and a Central Division title amassing a 55-36 record. His leadership both on and off the field will be missed.”

Coach Luby expressed his excitement for the new position, “It is such an honor to be named Head Coach of the Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs. I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside and learn from some great coaches right here in Little Falls. Countless teachings instilled in me
from former DiamondDawgs Coach Blake Nation and deep insights into the game and on developing players from Coach Haggerty. I look forward to carrying on the great tradition we have here with the DiamondDawgs and in Little Falls.”

“I get to work for the absolute best owner and an even better man and true friend in Travis who gives his heart and soul to the people of the Mohawk Valley and the kids who play for us. We have the absolute best group of fans who support our players and treat our kids the best in the world. I’m just so honored and blessed to have this opportunity. I’m a firm believer that our job as coaches is to send our players back to their respective schools as better players and better men and I will continue that objective! I’m grateful for this opportunity and will strive to bring another championship to the Mohawk Valley.”

Coach Luby is entering his 33rd season in baseball, 31st year of teaching high school, and is in his second year at the College of Idaho in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) coaching infielders and hitters. Coach Luby has also spent a summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) with the Vermont Mountaineers and seven seasons, two as the head coach, at Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC). Prior to TVCC, Coach Luby was a high school head coach in Oregon for 20 years and served three years as the infield and hitting coach at Western Baptist College. Luby was named Oregon State Baseball Coach of the year in 1991, named Conference Coach of the Year five times, and won a State Championship.

As a player, Coach Luby was an All-State athlete in football and baseball at Marist High School in Eugene, Oregon, and played infield for Oregon State University and later transferred to Western Oregon State College where he was an All-Conference infielder.

Luby was recently married to the love of his life Kimberly in October and has three children: a
son Tyler (28), a daughter Danielle (25), and a step-daughter Savannah (19).

The 2015 and 2017 PGCBL Champions Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs play at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Little Falls, New York, and have had several players reach the MLB level including MLB World Series Champion James Hoyt (Houston Astros), Caleb Thielbar (Minnesota Twins), Tyler Rogers (San Francisco Giants), and 2019 Baltimore Orioles All-star pitcher and American League Rookie of the Year finalist John Means.

The DiamondDawgs will kick-off their quest for another PGCBL title in June 2021. We look forward to seeing all our Dawgs fans back at the ballpark this summer.