Berkman became head coach of the Spartan men's lacrosse program in the fall of 2011. He joined the Spartan staff in the fall of 2010 prior to AU's first varsity season of competition as a graduate assistant. In the spring of 2012, he assumed the role of Assistant Director of Athletics.
In his time at AU, Berkman's Spartans are 113-28 overall record and 56-2 in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference with six regular season and tournament championships.
The 2013 Spartans were the first men's lacrosse team in the state of Illinois to appear and win a NCAA contest. AU advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 and repeated that appearance in 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well. In 2017 AU hosted the program's first NCAA Tournament game. The 2018 Spartans became the sixth AU team to play in the NCAA second round.
Prior to joining the AU staff, Berkman served as an assistant coach (offensive coordinator) at his alma mater, Salisbury University in the fall of 2009. Berkman has the distinct honor of being one of two Division III student-athletes to be selected to play in Major League Lacrosse in 2009, he was drafted by the Baltimore Bayhawks.
As a player for the Sea Gulls, Berkman had a tremendous four-year career having been named the NCAA National Lacrosse Player of the Year in Division III as a junior in 2008. He was also a three-time NCAA Most Outstanding Midfielder, three-time Division III All-American, three-time All-Capital Conference first-team selection, two-time captain and was multiple times selected the Capital Athletic Conference Player of the Week.
In addition to his on field accolades at Salisbury, Berkman was an NCAA Academic All-American, Capital Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete and served on the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
As a prep athlete, Berkman was a two-time All-American and Maryland All-State player.
Berkman has worked numerous lacrosse select camps, including the Blue Chip 225, Ohio State Team Camp, Top Star, Hot Shots, Rogue, Baltimore Bayhawks and Crown Youth Lacrosse camps.
Berkman earned a bachelor’s degree in business management (2008) with a minor in coaching and is currently working towards his master’s degree in business administration at Aurora University.
AURORA UNIVERSITY COACHING RECORD
| YEAR |
OVERALL |
CONFERENCE (Place) |
| 2012 |
13-4 |
8-1 (2nd) |
| 2013 |
16-4* |
10-0 (1st) |
| 2014 |
16-4* |
10-0 (1st) |
| 2015 |
14-8* |
6-0 (1st) |
| 2016 |
17-3* |
6-0 (1st) |
| 2017 |
18-3* |
7-1 (1st) |
| 2018 |
19-2* |
9-0 (1st) |
| 7 Years |
113-28 (.801) |
56-2 (.966) |
*NCAA Appearance
