Get to Know Student-Athlete Alberto Chiaparini

Alberto Arioli Chiaparini has made a name for himself since coming to Bluefield College from Brazil. He is well known for his accomplishments as a member of the men’s volleyball team and a clear example of what it means to be a Ram.

Chiaparini is a 24-year-old senior at Bluefield College studying exercise science with teacher licensure. In addition to being in his last year of study at BC, he’ll be playing his final season of volleyball for the Rams this spring.

“I started playing volleyball when I was seven,” Chiaparini said. “My whole family has always been in volleyball. Both of my parents are volleyball coaches. I have been around this sport since I was born.”

Chiaparini came to Bluefield on a scholarship to play volleyball and with the expectation of fulfilling a dream. He had been studying naval engineering for two years in Brazil, but said he didn’t like that experience. So he took advantage of a connection his mother’s friend had with a BC volleyball coach.

“She contacted the coach, the coach offered me a scholarship, and I took the scholarship,” he said. “I always had the dream of coming to the U.S.”

Chiaparini noted that living in the United States has been a drastic change from living in Brazil. He said the game of volleyball is much different, as well.

“In Brazil, there is a really high competition,” Chiaparini said. “When I first got here, the practice was not close to what I expected.”

When Chiaparini arrived at BC, the men’s volleyball team did not have a head coach, so the women’s volleyball coach worked with the men.

“I still did all that I could to win the games,” Chiaparini said. “The volleyball program has changed a lot since then.”

Now the men’s team is led by head coach Alfonso Alvarez, who Chiaparini said “is doing a great job.”

“He is building the program,” Chiaparini said. “It’s the best since I got here. I get along with all my teammates, and we have a lot of players, not just people who just show up, but people who enjoy playing.”

Alvarez said that Chiaparini is a mature and talented athlete who is contributing much to the team.

“He delivers and performs like a true athlete,” Alvarez said. “In one way or another, it pushes the rest of the team to try harder, which improves the level of each player.”

Teammate Eric Duron said that Chiaparini is “smart on and off the field.” He said he appreciates having Chiaparini as a teammate because he brings so much confidence onto the court.

“He pushes me to play my best,” Duron said, “even though I might not be having a great day.”

Entering his senior season, Chiaparini said he hopes to add to his individual accolades, which to date include Second Team All-Conference (2018), NAIA Attacker of the Week NAIA (2019), First Team All-Conference (2019), and Ram of the Year (2019). He said he would also like to win the conference championship this year.

“This is something we could achieve,” Chiaparini said. “We have a new team who is engaged to play and is excited for the season to begin.”

Because of a knee and shoulder injury Chiaparini said he doesn’t expect to play volleyball professionally after college, but does hope to still be a part of the game.

“I am proud of what I achieved thus far,” he said “My plan is to start my master’s (degree) at Bluefield College while (serving as) the assistant coach. After that, I will have my teaching license. I am planning to coach someday or being an assistant coach for a big school. There is still the option of going to Brazil to coach, but that is long in the future. “

Outside of the classroom and off the court, Chiaparini enjoys playing video games and watching YouTube.

“I like the outdoors and playing sports,” he said. “I like to try different activities. I like to work out at the gym by myself because this year has been tough with the COVID situation.”