VALLEY CITY (VCSU) – Valley City State University has hired Alec DeMaria as its next head baseball coach.
 
DeMaria worked the past four seasons as a pitching coach at Dakota State University (S.D.). and the University of Minnesota-Crookston. He'll begin his new position at VCSU immediately, said athletic director Dennis McCulloch.
 
A native of Fresno, Calif., DeMaria played college baseball for four years as a pitcher at the University of Mary (N.D.) prior to starting his college coaching career.
 
"Alec may be young, but he brings a high level of maturity and baseball knowledge," said McCulloch. "His vision for the future of VCSU baseball aligns with our athletic department's goals, and we are excited for him to get started."
 
Prior to accepting the VCSU job, DeMaria was the pitching coach for the past two seasons at Dakota State University where he helped the Trojans turn their program around and contend for a North Star Athletic Association conference title. DeMaria's pitching staff at DSU set numerous school records and produced the conference's Pitcher of the Year and three 1^st Team All-Conference selections this past season.
 
The Trojans posted a 36-18 overall record and a 24-4 mark in the conference during the 2023 season. The pitching staff led the NSAA in ERA, strikeouts and numerous pitching categories, and they ranked 4th nationally in ERA (3.33) and Top 10 in several other categories.
 
"My family and I are thrilled for the opportunity to be a part of the Valley City State University baseball program and the Valley City community," said DeMaria. "I look forward to working with our players, coaches, administration, community, alumni and the Valley City Baseball Association to help bring Viking Baseball to a position that makes both the university and the community proud of our program. I want to thank the VCSU administration and our athletic director Dennis McCulloch for his trust in me. Now it's time to get to work!"
 
Along with being the pitching coach at DSU, DeMaria was also in charge of the recruitment of pitchers and catchers, opponent scouting, player eligibility and camps coordination.
 
DeMaria graduated from University of Mary with both a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Education degree in athletic administration and physical education.  He and his fiancé Lucia will be married in August.
 
DeMaria replaces longtime coach Casey Olney who stepped down this spring after leading the VCSU baseball program for 16 seasons. DeMaria becomes the 9^th head coach in program history and just the fourth head coach for Viking Baseball since 1974.