Q&A with Salisbury coach Jim Berkman
It is impossible to list the accomplishments of Jim Berkman during his tenure at Salisbury. Consecutive wins, appearances in NCAA tournaments, NCAA championships, conference titles and every other statistical category are dominated by this son of Watertown, N.Y. And his 21-year-old son, Kylor, a senior midfielder at Salisbury, is the reining National Player of the Year, while his daughter, Keli, is starting her collegiate career at Mount St. Mary’s. Jim was a superstar athlete at St. Lawrence and is still known to be the most competitive person on a pick-up basketball court or track on campus.
Editor's note: This Q&A was conducted before the season. The Sea Gulls defeated Scranton, 24-6, on Feb. 15, and beat Lynchburg, 18-6, on Feb. 21. They will face Wesley Wednesday at
home.
What’s your probable starting personnel for 2009.
Jim Berkman: Our attack is Jake Delillo, Mike Winter, Stephen Krasco and Matt Cannone. Our mids are Kylor Berkman, Mike Von Kamecke and Patrick Bonanno. The defense of Collin Tokosch, Kevin Maynard, Jeff Breeding and Connor Burgasser is anchored by Johnny Rodriguez in goal.
Are there any battles going on for key positions?
Jim Berkman: The freshman Canonne is pushing the attack, giving us four solid attackmen.
How will the personality of the 2009 team differ from the 2008 squad?
Jim Berkman: A little young at defense this year, and great depth at midfield.
Who are your captains and what are their strengths?
Jim Berkman: Berkman’s a senior. He’s a leader in every way, by example and verbally. Tim O’Branski’s a senior. He’s the hardest worker on the team. And Maynard, another senior, gives us leadership at defense.
What is the biggest weakness of your 2009 team or the thing you will look to improve over the season before the playoffs?
Jim Berkman: We need leadership at attack.
Are there any freshmen that will break into the lineup and impress us?
Jim Berkman: Canonne from the Long Island Empire Team, also [Sean] Hickey on attack. Sam Bradman’s a three-time [high school] All-American. Tim Lum at midfield, Evan Hockel at long stick midfield and Kyle Gallagher on faceoffs.
Who's your hardest shooter?
Jim Berkman: Vom Kamecke.
Best stick handler?
Jim Berkman: Berkman – shooter and handler with both hands.
Fastest middie?
Jim Berkman: Will Poletis.
Toughest D-man?
Jim Berkman: Maynard.
Unsung hero?
Jim Berkman: Ryan Finch is a faceoff man and all-around utility player.
Surprise player?
Jim Berkman: Winter on attack.
What is the strength of your 2009 squad?
Jim Berkman: Midfield.
How do the coaching roles work in your program? What are the key responsibilities of your assistants?
Jim Berkman: I’m involved with everything. Coach Dave Dobbins handles the offense, Ben Sandlin the defense and Nick Fiorentino works with the goalies.
How strong are your seniors?
Jim Berkman: It’s a good group led by reigning National Player of the Year, Kylor Berkman.
How mature is the 2009 team?
Jim Berkman: We have veterans at every position but the best freshman class in a long time is pushing for playing time.
Which teams are you most looking forward to playing this season? Which teams provide the biggest challenge?
Jim Berkman: Every game, but especially all NCAA tournament teams and ranked teams on our extremely competitive schedule.
Who's the coach you fear opposing the most?
Jim Berkman: I fear no one. I look forward to playing the best teams in the country and in the South Region.
Are there transfers that change the make-up of your 2009 team?
Jim Berkman: Matt Cowley, All-American, great all-around midfielder who is playing awesome at defense. Also, Johnny Rodriguez, a transfer from Limestone is a great addition in the cage. Kevin Finn from Stony Brook is a big athletic midfielder.
How strong is your conference (Capital Athletic Conference) in 2009?
Jim Berkman: We have two top-five rated teams in the country, and every team is vastly improved.
Do you like the NCAA tournament in New England?
Jim Berkman: It was great in Boston last year. I like the idea of spreading the excitement of the game around the country.
Would you like Baltimore, New Jersey, Denver or New England to host in the future?
Jim Berkman: As the game increases in popularity, it would be great to see it anywhere where the city would embrace the event.
What do you think of the stick rule change that is coming for 2010?
Jim Berkman: I don’t think it will change the game on sticks at all. The advances the players have made in this area will still make it difficult dislodge the ball.
How strong is the Maryland/Baltimore area for recruiting these days?
Jim Berkman: Baltimore’s as strong as ever, but there are great players everywhere.
Where's the farthest you gone to get a recruit?
Jim Berkman: California and Florida.
Do you do a summer camp?
Jim Berkman: I have a small teaching camp in Salisbury and a team teaching camp in Atlanta.
How many camps should a kid play in the summer if he wants to play in college?
Jim Berkman: I like the team (high school or club) camp idea. A player’s strengths are highlighted by coaches trying to compete.
Are you a fan of multi-sport athletes when recruiting?
Jim Berkman: Yes, we are always looking for people who love to compete all the time!
Who were your influences in coaching?
Jim Berkman: Don Leet at St. Lawrence University, Hank Janczyk at Gettysburg and Matt Branski and Lou Kibling of Watertown High School.
Would you rather be the underdog or favorite in a big game?
Jim Berkman: Favorite.
Do your players see you as a friend, father figure, teacher or boss?
Jim Berkman: Hopefully all of these as their seasons and careers progress.
What's the most important trait of a great player?
Jim Berkman: A competitor, he wants to compete daily, wants to improve and constantly pursues his improvement.
Photo courtesy of Salisbury University.
More lacrosse Q&As:
• Goucher women's coach Katie Trainor
• Hood College women's coach Molly Hesterberg
• Towson women's coach Missy Doherty
• Mount St. Mary's men's coach Tom Gravante
• St. Mary's men's coach Chris Hasbrouck
• McDaniel men's coach Matt Hatton
• Loyola women's coach Jen Adams
• Loyola men's coach Charley Toomey
• Stevenson men's coach Paul Cantabene
Comments
I grew up with Jim. He's the most talented athelete I've seen. Played every sport and excelled in all. Wanted to be the best all the time. I admire his passion. That's the reason he is successful......
Posted by: Spike Decker | February 24, 2009 4:20 PM