"Words cannot express how thrilled I am to bring Kevin back to Lewisburg," said Wirnsberger, the 2015 EIWA Coach of the Year. "He is an ideal fit for our program. He truly understands the student-athlete model for an institution like Bucknell because he lived it during his four years. Kevin graduated as our most successful wrestler in program history and returns with a wealth of coaching experience as well as international wrestling experience. He will have an immediate impact in the development of our student-athletes."
"I am beyond excited to return to my alma mater and the Lewisburg community," said LeValley. "I want to thank Bucknell University and Coach Wirnsberger for this opportunity. Bucknell truly holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to helping current and future student-athletes achieve success both in the classroom and on the mat."
LeValley, who served as team captain, had a remarkable career during his time as a Bison, earning All-America honors in 2010 and 2011. The three-time NCAA qualifier at 149 pounds compiled a 127-40 career record, including 42-8 as a junior and 34-3 as a senior. He became the second Bucknell wrestler to win an EIWA title, handing Cornell's Kyle Dake his final collegiate loss in the 2011 EIWA finals in Sojka Pavilion.
Following his graduation from Bucknell with a degree in education, LeValley moved to Minneapolis to pursue a master's degree in applied kinesiology and sport management at the University of Minnesota, which he obtained in December 2013.
LeValley spent four years at Minnesota working as an administrative assistant and recruiting coordinator with the Gophers wrestling team that placed in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships four times and in the top five three times. Additionally, LeValley was a coach at the Pinnacle Wrestling School in Shoreview, Minnesota.
While at Minnesota, LeValley continued to compete internationally for the Gopher Wrestling Club and Minnesota Storm. He is ranked 18th in the world at 70kg (154 pounds) and has had great success in international competitions, earning gold at the 2013 Cerro Pelado International in Cuba, taking second at the 2014 Alexander Medved International in Belarus and placing third at the 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial International. He also finished fourth at the 2014 U.S. Open,
LeValley and his wife, Amanda, were married in October 2014. She is a certified athletic trainer.
LeValley will be joining a Bucknell program that had a banner 2014-15 season as it set a school record for victories and finished with a 15-4 overall record including 8-1 in EIWA duals. The Bison finished in third place at the EIWA Championships. Bucknell was ranked as high as 22nd in the USA Today/NWCA Coaches Poll and finished the season listed 24th nationally.
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