(Posted May 8, 2001)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Greg Curley, a native of State College, Pa., has been named the head coach of the Juniata College men’s basketball program by director of athletics Larry Bock. Curley, who will begin his tenure as soon as possible, but no later than June 1, takes over for Rick Ferry, who resigned from his post as the men’s hardwood mentor on College Hill last week to take over the Albright College men’s basketball program. Ferry is a native of Reading, Pa., where Albright is located, and left the Eagle squad after guiding the unit for five years.

"Greg is a true Division III guy and we feel very fortunate to have him joining our staff," said Bock. "He played at the Division III level, has worked as an assistant coach in Division III and he is ready to take over his own program. Greg knows what it is going to take to keep our program headed in the right direction. He is savvy, energetic, and enthusiastic, and I have every reason to believe that he will be successful at Juniata."

Curley is no stranger to Juniata, having worked three seasons (August 1996 to July 1999) as an assistant coach for Ferry. He fulfilled all of the duties of an assistant coach on College Hill during that time and he was responsible for all aspects of recruiting throughout the Northeast. In addition, he worked as a resident director and a summer conference assistant.

He left Juniata in July of 1999 to become the assistant men’s basketball coach and head golf coach at Penn State-Behrend. Before the start of the 1999-2000 basketball season, he was presented with the opportunity to return his alma mater, Allegheny College, as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach for the men’s basketball program where he has spent the past two years.
"I’m excited about the opportunity in front of me and the chance to return to Juniata and closer to my roots that are in State College," commented Curley. "The men’s basketball program at Juniata has a lot of momentum right now and I feel fortunate to be able to get the chance to step right in and pick up where things have been left off."

Curley graduated from Allegheny in May of 1995 with a bachelor degree in history, along with a minor in English. He was a four-time Allegheny College Scholar-Athlete, while earning four varsity letters on the men’s basketball team. He was a member of the 1992-93 North Coach Athletic Conference championship team and played in the 1995 NAIA-NCAA Senior All-Star Game. Curley was elected as a team captain and received the Glen Thompson Award for Leadership as a senior.

He earned his master’s degree in Sports Administration from Penn State in December of 1997.

Curley’s coaching career began in 1995 when he served as the graduate assistant coach at Allegheny for the 1995-96 season. One year later, he became the assistant at Juniata.

"I enjoy everything about Division III athletics," said Curley. "Student-athletes in Division III are committed to excellence in every aspect of their lives, including academically, athletically and socially. I want members of my program to be committed to excellence and that is exactly what I see when I look at the current Juniata program."

Juniata finished the 2000-01 season with an 11-13 overall record, which marked the most wins for the blue and gold program since the 1991-92 unit posted 12 victories (12-13).

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.