Graduate Story: Jimmy Martelli '05, Virginia Commonwealth University
2026 Atlantic 10 Championship.
"The limestone walls prepared me for whatever life could bring. In joyous times and tough times, I'm able to lean on what I was able to learn walking between the Kline Center, the dorms, the HUB and of course OId West. ... Dickinson accepts you as you are, and the success I have will always be rooted in the time I spent there."
—Jimmy Martelli '05
An English major at Dickinson, Jimmy Martelli '05 is now associate head coach at VCU, where he oversees all aspects of the basketball program and helped lead the team to an Atlantic 10 championship and NCAA Tournament run. He credits his Dickinson experience with shaping his personal growth, perspective and ability to build meaningful connections that continue to guide his success.
Tell us a little about your position.
I'm very blessed to be the associate head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. I spent time here as the director of operations and then spent two years up in Happy Valley as an assistant coach for Penn State men's basketball. But this year at VCU I had a unique twist, as I'm working with my brother, who is the head coach here at VCU.
In my role, I assist the program in every aspect, from recruiting, to scouting and game planning to practice planning as well as long-term vision of the program and expectations. I'm fortunate to be able to have input on every aspect of VCU Rams basketball and am humbled that my brother would choose me to be on this journey with him. In our first year we were able to win the Atlantic 10 championship and advance in the NCAA Tournament after a win against North Carolina. (Ironically on the UNC bench was a Carlisle legend in Jeff Lebo, and we enjoyed discussing Carlisle and some of the great establishments.)
What was your Dickinson experience like?
My Dickinson experience was as a transfer student who walked the campus for the first time in December of 2002 and fell in love with the place and the people immediately. Coach Dennis Csensits was our coach at the time, and the basketball team welcomed me with open arms. Dickinson challenged me academically and socially, which were the best things that I could have ever asked for from my experience. The elevated classes and classmates made me a better student and more eager learner and gave me a better understanding of the world. Socially I was able to connect with many different students with many different areas of interest and backgrounds, which pushed me to be a better person as well.
How did Dickinson help prepare you for where you are today?
The limestone walls prepared me for whatever life could bring. In joyous times and tough times, I'm able to lean on what I was able to learn walking between the Kline Center, the dorms, the HUB and of course OId West. The lessons learned did not begin and end in the classrooms but out on the lawn, in the library and talking with friends, peers and the faculty outside of a lecture. Those informal opportunities for growth are what separate Dickinson from so many other schools and institutions. Dickinson accepts you as you are, and the success I have will always be rooted in the time I spent there.
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Published July 17, 2026