About Club – Virginia Valley Vipers

ABOUT US

The Virginia Valley Vipers are proud to be in the heart of The Town Of Purcellville VA and Western Loudoun County. Western Loudoun County VA is fast growing localities in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Vipers are ready to grow with the rest of the region!

Despite its proximity to Washington, DC, Virginia has lacked a professional basketball team –until the Vipers. Choosing the symbolism of rebirth and transformation, Team Market Owners Rodney, Rze and Tina Culbreath established the Valley Vipers in Winchester 2022. We are excited to bring professional men’s basketball to the Commonwealth of Virginia, transforming the region and providing opportunities for athletes from all walks of life to compete at a higher level.

Mission:

Our Mission is to strengthen our community through positive, family-friendly entertainment and provide athletes with the financial opportunity to continue their passion while giving back to the community.

Rodney Culbreath: Team Market Owner

Rodney Culbreath is one of the three Team Market Owners of the Valley Vipers, along with his wife, Tina, and son, Rze. A proud parent of a young athlete, Rodney has always supported Rze’s basketball career. After Rze joined the Tri-State Admirals, Rodney and his wife Tina discovered they had a new opportunity to support their son and improve the Winchester community. Together, they founded the Valley Vipers through The Basketball League in 2022, bringing the first professional basketball to Virginia.
Rodney is also a founder of the I’m Just Me Movement, a nonprofit youth mentoring organization that is the charity of choice of the Valley Vipers. Rodney knows first hand the impact that positive role models can make in the lives of youth and hopes the Vipers can help inspire both youth and adults, whether on the court or in the community.

Rze Culbreath: Team Market Owner

Rze Culbreath is one of the three Team Market Owners of the Valley Vipers, along with his parents, Rodney and Tina Culbreath. In addition to being a TMO, Rze is a professional basketball player, having played both for The Basketball League’s Tri-State Admirals and overseas in Armenia. He brings a unique perspective as a former player in The Basketball League to guide the organization.
Along with his parents, Rze also founded the I’m Just Me Movement, a nonprofit youth mentoring organization in Winchester, Virginia. He uses his platform as an athlete to help inspire the youth he mentors and help them reach their full potential.

Tina Culbreath: Team Market Owner

Tina Culbreath is one of the three Team Market Owners of the Valley Vipers, along with her husband, Rodney, and son, Rze. After supporting Rze’s athletic career for years, Tina and Rodney chose to found the Valley Vipers, expanding The Basketball League to Virginia.
In addition to founding the Valley Vipers, Tina also founded The I’m Just Me Movement, a youth mentoring nonprofit organization. Tina has dedicated her life to supporting the Winchester community and believes the Vipers will be an integral part of that mission through their community outreach.

General Manager: Jason Hamm

Bio Coming Soon!

Head Coach: Darien Almond

“I am incredibly excited to announce my new role as the head coach of the Virginia Vipers,” Almond said in a press release. “After dedicating 15 years to coaching at Potomac Falls [High School], along with my experience as an AAU coach and running various summer basketball camps for youth, I see this as an amazing next step in my coaching career.”

Assistant Coach: Casey Frederick

Bio Coming Soon!

Director of Media Relations & Communications: Josh Kirby

Josh is also the Play-by-Play announcer for the Vipers & has his own podcast called The Kirby on Sports Podcast! Check him out y’all! Give him a like and share!

Broadcast Engineer: Kory Campbell

Kory is the Broadcast Engineer for the Vipers and has been with the organization since day one of operations. We’re thrilled to have Kory’s expertise again this year! His professionalism has been remarkable and a great character individual who strives to reach greatness!

Social Media Coordinator: Lillian Grooms

Lillian brings experience from the music and entertainment industry, specializing in fan engagement. A Purcellville native and George Mason University grad (B.A. in Communication – Public Relations, Marketing minor), she’s passionate about pop culture, digital media, and building connections with audiences.

In her free time, Lillian loves attending concerts, traveling, and spending time with her chocolate lab. She’s also fluent in ASL!

Intern Marketing: Rebekah Dunfee

Rebekah currently attends @patrickhenrycollege in Purcellville, VA and is studying Economics & Business Analytics. She is originally from Alaska and loves photography!

Videographer Coordinator: Charlotte Miller

Charlotte recently graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Digital Video/Cinema and a minor in Sports Communications. She currently resides with her family in Purcellville, VA.

Charlotte will be the new videographer for the upcoming Virginia Valley Vipers season! While at JMU, Charlotte volunteered for the JMU Athletics Creative Services Department, filmed and edited videos for many JMU sports teams, and was a replay/camera operator with Daktronics Inc. for JMU Football and Basketball games.

Team Chaplain: Cory Welch

Cory is currently the Senior Pastor Purcellville Baptist Church and is a big family oriented person who is excited for the Vipers to make their way to Purcellville this year! PBC is where our team will be practicing weekly.

Athletic Trainer: Mark Wagner

Mark brings a wealth of experience and passion for helping athletes perform at their best while staying safe and healthy. Mark has served with Loudoun County Public Schools since 2006 as an Athletic Trainer

Athletic Trainer: Damian Pulos

Damian will be joining Mark and Liliana on the ATC team. Outside of work, Damian stays active through personal fitness and lacrosse leagues. He enjoys spending time with his dog, Zeus, and lives in Sterling, VA!

Intern Athletic Trainer: Liliana Compher

Liliana be working alongside our athletic trainer, Mark, during our home games at Patrick Henry! Currently a student at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. In her free time, she loves to watch basketball and paint!

PA Announcer : Aaron Kielhorn

Originally from Jackson, MI, he is an avid sports fan and supporter of Loudoun County athletics. Aaron is the PA announcer for the LVHS football and boy’s basketball teams! When not volunteering in the community as a coach (Upper Loudoun Youth Football, Upper Loudoun Little League, and Fielder’s Choice Baseball Club) or PA announcer, he enjoys working out at Bantam CrossFit and cheering for anything Michigan State Spartans related or the William and Mary Football team where his oldest son, Cole, is a Defensive Back.

Announcer & Events : Andrue (Drue) Wagner

We’re thrilled to have you this season! Andrue has spent the past few years with the Purcellville Cannons (@talkingcannons), interviewing players and engaging with fans alongside his partner. He’s also worked in various media roles, from game show host to voiceover work.

Recently, he launched his own podcast, @showlove4sports, to share his love for sports and break them all down.

Event Coordinator : Quan Stinger

Quan brings a level of professionalism and enthusiasm to our team! When he is not spending time with his family and friends, Quan coaches a local high-school basketball and football team.

He is a former D1 football player from Norfolk State University.

Recently, he launched his own podcast, @showlove4sports, to share his love for sports and break them all down.