"I am extremely excited about this opportunity and I want to thank Mr. Harris, and Dr. Williams for entrusting UAH Hockey to me," said Luongo. "This is something I take very seriously and I am committed to our student-athletes, The University, and to the Huntsville community."

A former NHL defenseman, Lungo joined the Charger program in 2008 following two seasons as assistant coach at Wayne State.

"Chris has done an excellent job with our student-athletes both on the ice and in the classroom the past two seasons and there is no doubt in my mind that he's the right guy for our university to lead the UAH hockey program," noted UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris.

An All-CCHA defensemen at Michigan State under legendary hockey coach Ron Mason , Luongo was part of the Spartans program from 1985-1989 including MSU's 1986 national championship team. Following his collegiate career, Luongo, a 5^th-round selection by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, played with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the IHL and the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL before making his NHL debut in Detroit in the 1990-91 season.

"The University of Alabama in Huntsville has had a proud tradition of coaches from Coach Ritch to Coach Ross to Coach Cole and I look forward to putting my mark on Charger Hockey," remarked Luongo. "Having been here for two years, I have become well aware of the amazing support that UAH Hockey receives from the University, the Alumni, and the Huntsville community and look forward to building on that support in the coming years."