Rick Berkman enters his 30th season as head men's lacrosse coach at SUNY Potsdam.
During Berkman's lacrosse tenure, the Bears have had 13 winning seasons, 19 post-season appearances and a conference championship.
In 2021, Berkman led the Bears to a 7-4 record, including a 5-1 SUNYAC East mark. Potsdam clinched the two-seed in the Eastern Division. Josh Huiatt was named SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year and the ninth All-American in Program history. Cam Talcott and Ethan Clark also earned all-conference honors.
In 2018, Berkman guided Eric Soderquist to spot on the All-SUNYAC first team and fourth place on the program's all-time scoring list. Josh Huiatt also earned first team honors while Colby Chapman received honorable mention recognition.
In 2017, Eric Soderquist continued to shine under Berkman's guidance, earning second team all conference honors again.
In 2016, Berkman coached his squad to a 10-6 record overall and a 3-3 SUNYAC mark for its fourth straight playoff appearance. The Bears rattled off a program record nine wins in a row over the first half of the season. Seniors Pat Bonafede, Lindsay Pound, Brian Martin and Pete Gropp all earned first team All-SUNYAC status, while sophomore Eric Soderquist and and junior Matt Moran were named to the second team. Bonafede was also selected to play in the North-South All-Star game in Radnor, Pa.
Berkman guided the Bears to a 7-8 overall record in 2015, including a 3-3 mark in the SUNYAC, to earn the third seed in the conference playoffs. Freshman Eric Soderquist earned SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Honors for Potsdam. Seven Bears earned all-conference status. Soderquist and Kyle Hauk were named to the first team. Pat Bonafede, Jon Woodworth and Lindsey Pound were named to the second team and Pete Gropp and Matt Kennedy earned honorable mention status.
In 2014, Berkman coached the Bears to another outstanding year that saw him named the SUNYAC Coach of the Year for the third time and senior goalie Ryan Duffy earn conference Player of the Year honors. Potsdam posted a 10-6 record, one win shy of the school's single-season mark and the most wins since 2000. The Bears went 4-2 in the SUNYAC and clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament for the second time in four years. Six Bears received All-SUNYAC recognition. Duffy, Rob Kunz and Ryan McConnell were named to the first team. Pat Bonafede and Jeff Love were named to the second team, while Kyle Hauk earned honorable mention status. Duffy was named the eighth Bears All-American and joined Kunz and Love for the North-South All-Star game in Baltimore.
In 2013, Berkman coached Potsdam back into the playoffs and five of his players to all-conference honors. Brady Fremont received first team accolades. Derek Frost and Stefan Sloma were named to the second team, while Rob Kunz and and Jeff Love were honorable mention All-SUNYAC. Fremont was named the seventh All-American in program history.
In 2012, under Berkman's guidance three Bears earned All-SUNYAC lacrosse status. Rashaun Durden and Rob Kunz were named to the second team, while Jared Flath earned honorable mention recgonition.
2011 was one of the most successful ever for Berkman and Bears' lacrosse. SUNY Potsdam posted a 4-2 SUNYAC record, earning a second-place finish and its first home playoff game. The Bears defeated Geneseo at home in the SUNYAC Semifinals before falling to perennial power Cortland in the championship. Berkman was honored with his second SUNYAC Coach of the Year award and five Bears earned All-SUNYAC recognition. Junior defender Rashaun Durden became Potsdam's second SUNYAC Player of the Year (Brian Austin was the first in 2001) and third USILA Division III All-American.
In 2010, the Bears finished fourth in the league and fell to eventual league champion and NCAA Division III semifinalist Cortland in the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals.
From 2001 through 2005, the Bears finished in fourth place in the SUNYAC, which qualified them for post-season action each year. Potsdam faced SUNY Cortland each year from 2001-05, coming up just short in first round tournament games. In 2007, the Bears finished third before losing to Geneseo in the SUNYAC Tournament and RIT in the ECAC Tournament. Potsdam also placed third in 2008 following a setback against Geneseo in the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals.
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 their 13 post-season appearances in 1995.
Coach Berkman was named the 1998 USLCA (United States Lacrosse Coaches Association) "Man of the Year". Berkman was 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 in Potsdam.
In 1999, the Bears reached the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) championship game and came within one goal of winning their first post-season title.
Potsdam nearly tied the program wins school record (11 in 1990) with 10 wins in 2000 and was also an ECAC semi-finalist in reaching the post-season for the fourth consecutive year.
Berkman also serves as a physical education instructor at SUNY Potsdam and is on the NCAA Lacrosse Advisory Committee. He also coaches the Potsdam men's golf team.
Prior to Potsdam, Berkman served as assistant coach at Salisbury State (Md.), 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 game 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.
