Coaches

Rick Berkman   Rick Berkman, Head Coach

Coach Rick Berkman pioneered the men's golf program at SUNY Potsdam back in 2001. During Berkman's tenure the golf program at SUNY Potsdam has grown with the teams competing in several regional and conference events.

Now in his seventh season heading the golf program, Berkman who has dual coaching duties for the Bears, enters his fourteenth season as the head coach of the men's lacrosse program at SUNY Potsdam. Berkman also serves as a Physical Education Instructor at SUNY Potsdam and is on the NCAA Lacrosse Advisory Committee.

In 1997, Berkman was named Empire Lacrosse League "Coach of the Year" after guiding Potsdam to its first-ever Empire Lacrosse League championship. He also took the Bears to the first of five post-season appearances in 1997. Coach Berkman was named the 1998 USLCA (Unites States Lacrosse Coaches Association) "Man of the Year". Berkman has been recognized for his contributions to the growth of lacrosse in the North Country. He has organized several lacrosse clinics, tournaments and youth leagues since his arrival to Potsdam.

Prior to coaching at Potsdam, Berkman served as assistant lacrosse coach at Salisbury State, where he helped guide the Seagulls to three consecutive NCAA tournaments and their first NCAA National Championship in 1994. As a player for the Seagulls, Berkman led the team to a National Championship appearance in 1991 only to fall one goal short to eventual champion Hobart College. That season he was named a first team All-American and captained his team in the prestigious North/South game.

Coach Berkman and his wife Jessica reside in the town of Potsdam with their children Tyler and Parker William. 

Ben Gaebel: Assistant Coach

gaebel_72dpi Ben Gaebel joined the SUNY Potsdam community in the fall of 2007 as an assistant coach for both men's lacrosse and men's golf. His lacrosse responsibilities are focused primarily upon coaching the defense and goalies. Ben is also heavily involved with player recruiting.

Coach Gaebel also works in many lacrosse camps and clinics including those at: Lemoyne, Hobart, Syracuse, Carthage, and Syracuse University. Additionally Ben has worked in the Powell Brothers Lacrosse Camps.

A 2006 graduate of SUNY Cortland, Gaebel was an All-American goalie for the Red Dragons and starting goalie of their '06 National Champion team. Ben was also named to the All-SUNYAC team in both 2005 and 2006. He finished at Cortland with a major in Athletic Training.