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 is returning for his second season as head coach.
Luby, who has been with the DiamondDawgs organization for seven seasons, led the DiamondDawgs to a 23-19 finish in the PGCBL’s Central Division in 2021. Before being announced as head coach in 2021, Coach Luby previously served as both an Associate and Assistant Head Coach for the DiamondDawgs. Overall he has compiled a record of 140-92 in his time with the DiamondDawgs.
“I’m so excited to be back for another season with the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs, as I absolutely love it here”, said Luby. “The people and the fans in Little Falls and the Mohawk Valley are wonderful and passionate and their support of our players and program is the best in the league. We have an owner in Travis Heiser who does anything and everything possible to make the DiamondDawgs one of the best organizations in the country. I have been blessed to work alongside a great coaching staff and with one of the best coaches, I’ve ever been around in Coach John Fureno. Coach Fureno does such an outstanding job with our players, and I am grateful to have a man like him coaching with me. I am looking forward to getting back on the field and helping our players make strides to improve their game and compete for another championship. I can’t wait for June to roll around.”
In announcing Coach Luby’s return Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs owner Travis Heiser said, “being able to bring back Coach was a big priority for the organization. Coach Luby encompasses everything we look for in both a Coach and a man. He is a blue-collar guy who rolls up his sleeves and leaves it all on the baseball diamond. During his time here he has shown his commitment to these players and to this organization. He is a leader and just the guy we want leading this team for a long time. We are all committed to putting a championship-caliber team on the field with our players’ development at the forefront. The entire organization is thrilled to be able to welcome Coach back in 2022!”
Luby is entering his 34th season in baseball, 32nd year of teaching high school, and is in his third 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. Coach 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, 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 resides in Ontario, Oregon.
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 (Houston Astros) James Hoyt 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 2022. The Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs are excited to welcome back fans for another exciting season of baseball in the Mohawk