SALISBURY, Md. -- After a 38-year legendary career at the helm of Salisbury University's men's lacrosse program, Jim Berkman, the all-time winningest coach in college lacrosse history, announced his retirement on Tuesday.

"It has been a great run," Berkman said. "Jenn and I are very thankful for Dr. Bellavance bringing us to Salisbury, every president's tremendous support, and our current president Dr. Lepre's commitment to our student-athletes. We will forever be grateful for the opportunity that presented itself here."

Berkman, the architect of one of the most prestigious college lacrosse programs in the nation, rounds out his legendary coaching career with the most national titles (13), the highest winning percentage (90.2) and the most wins (678) across all divisions of college lacrosse. During a career that saw him become the only men's lacrosse coach to reach the 500- and 600-win plateau, he guided the Sea Gulls to seven perfect seasons.

"Coach Berkman's extraordinary 38-year legacy at Salisbury University has defined excellence in collegiate lacrosse and elevated Sea Gull Athletics to the highest national standard," said President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. "While his record of championships and wins is unmatched, his greatest impact can be found in the culture he built - one grounded in integrity, leadership and the success of generations of student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his decades of service, his unwavering commitment to Salisbury University, and the lasting imprint that he and his family have made on this university community."

The four-time Division III National Coach of the Year was inducted into the IMLCA Hall of Fame in 2023 and the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2013. Berkman has reached the final four 28 times, won 28 conference championships while holding a 174-8 record in conference play, at one time winning 105 straight conference games between 1995 to 2009.

"I'm proud of all that we were able to accomplish in my time at SU, but none of it would have been possible without the hundreds of players that dedicated their valuable time to the program," said Berkman. "As a coach, I tried to put the players in the best position to succeed, and so many times our players delivered. I'm proud of all they were able to accomplish both while playing here in the maroon and gold, and what they've done as men after leaving the University. One of the statistics I am most proud of is the number of former players and assistant coaches who are giving so much back to the game. Over 200 players and coaches are building programs at all levels including youth, high school, college and in professional leagues."

Berkman's teaching influence is second to none in the sport, coaching 310 All-Americans, 13 National Players of the Year, 59 national positional players of the year and seeing 15 of his players drafted to the pro ranks, which is the most by any Division III program.

Hailing from Watertown, New York, Berkman starred as an All-American midfielder on the lacrosse field and was a two-time team MVP on the basketball court at St. Lawrence University. After graduating in 1982, Berkman began establishing his roots on the Eastern Shore by spending two years at SU earning his master's degree while manning the sidelines as an assistant coach for the Gulls and meeting his wife, Jenn. Berkman broke through as a head coach at Potsdam State (SUNY Potsdam) in 1985, leading the Bears to a school-record nine wins, before returning to coach men's basketball at SLU from 1985 to 1988. The following year, Berkman began his tenure at then Salisbury State University.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside Coach Berkman during his legendary career," said Monica Polizzi, SU's Director of Athletics and Recreation. "Beyond the incredible success and impact on his student-athletes, Coach Berkman has been a trusted leader, mentor, and teammate within our athletics department. His legacy is not measured solely by victories, but by the countless lives he has shaped. His impact on Salisbury University and the lacrosse community, both locally and nationally, will be lasting and unforgettable."

LAYING THE FOUNDATION (1989-1993)
After missing the NCAA Tournament in the prior two seasons, Berkman guided the Sea Gulls back into the dance in 1989, bowing out in the quarterfinals. In 1990, Berkman notched his first postseason win, and in 1991, the third-year bench boss steered SSU into their first undefeated regular season and title game before falling to Hobart, 12-11 at Sea Gull Stadium. Berkman brought his squad back to the quarterfinals over the next two seasons, posting a combined 25-3 record.

REACHING THE MOUNTAIN TOP (1994-1999)
The 1994 season marked the year when Berkman led the Gulls to the first title in program history, boasting a 16-0 record and dispatching 13-time champion Hobart, 15-9, in College Park, Md. Pulling off another undefeated run in 1995, the 17-0 Sea Gulls went back-to-back, winning the title game, 22-13 over Nazareth. Berkman led SSU back into the championship game in 1999, leading Salisbury to a third trophy, 13-6, against Middlebury.

SIX STRAIGHT FINALS APPEARANCES (2003-2008)
Following a loss to Lynchburg on April 10, 2003, Berkman guided the team to run the table, downing the reigning three-time defending champions, Middlebury, 14-13 on a Chris Phillips overtime tally. SU would rattle off an NCAA record 69-game win streak, leading to two more trophies in 2004 and 2005. After falling in the title game to SUNY Cortland in 2006, Berkman helped restart a new 55-game consecutive win streak, and toppling the Red Dragons in 2007 and 2008 with his son, Kylor '09, who went on to reel in the USILA Fran Mcall Outstanding Midfielder of the Year award three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009, which was the only time in the sport's history a player won the award three years in a row.

HALL OF FAME INDUCTION AND HOWDY MYERS MAN OF THE YEAR (2010-2017)
A season removed from a 9-6 championship defeat against Tufts in 2010, Berkman returned to the final against the Jumbos in 2011, prevailing 19-7 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The next season, Berkman earned his fourth back-to-back title in a third different decade by topping SUNY Cortland 14-10, led by USILA Outstanding Player of the Year, Sam Bradman '12. That year, the USILA dubbed Berkman the Howdy Myers Man of the Year, given to a coach who has shown unselfish and untiring devotion to the game. In 2013, Berkman was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in Sparks, Md., after his 25^th season at the helm of SU. In 2016, the Sea Gulls met with Tufts for the third time in seven years, with Berkman collecting his 11^th ring in a 14-13 nail-biter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berkman and SU went on to repeat in 2017, taming RIT, 15-7 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, to amass a dozen trophies.

POST COVID (2021-2026)
After COVID-19 cut the 2020 season short for the Sea Gulls, with a 7-0 record, the Sea Gulls matched up with RIT in the 2021 title bout, falling in double overtime, 15-14. Berkman and the Gulls were one of the final two standing in 2023 when they squared off with undefeated Tufts in the championship game. With a 6-0 run in the first quarter, Berkman collected title number 13 in a 17-12 dub over the Jumbos to tie Hobart's program NCAA record. Berkman guided the Sea Gulls to two straight undefeated regular seasons in the years following, and has won an NCAA Tournament game in 28 appearances.

"I am grateful for the support of so many donors over the course of my tenure," Berkman stated. "Through the generous support and strong commitment of alumni, families and friends of Salisbury Men's Lacrosse the program has benefited from the creation of several endowments, the locker room is endowed, and every locker in the locker room has been named. The Huffman Performance Center not only benefits Men's Lacrosse but reaches all student athletes. It is a huge part of the Sea Gull lacrosse legacy that will ensure future excellence for Salisbury Athletics."

Berkman also spent time as the women's soccer coach for seven seasons, logging a 102-28-5 record from 1994-2000 and two Capital Athletic Conference titles. Berkman also led the women's basketball program in 1988-89 to a 16-11 campaign.

Berkman and his wife, Jennifer, both graduated with their master's from Salisbury in 1984. Their son, Kylor, graduated from Salisbury University in 2009 as a two-time champion and their daughter, Keli, was a member of the Sea Gulls' 2010 women's lacrosse championship team.

Justin Axel has been named the Interim Head Coach of the Salisbury University Sea Gull men's lacrosse program. Axel brings more than two decades of collegiate coaching experience and a deep connection to Salisbury University, having first served as an assistant coach with the Sea Gulls from 2002-07. In 2007, he was named head coach at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he transformed a program coming off the only losing season in its history into a consistent conference contender, compiling an 81-42 record, winning four conference championships, and earning Conference Coach of the Year honors.
 
Axel returned to Salisbury in 2014 and has played an integral role in the continued success of the Sea Gull men's lacrosse program, helping lead the team to seven NCAA Division III National Championships while serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In recognition of his contributions to the sport and the program, he was named the Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMLCA) Division III Assistant Coach of the Year in 2023. His extensive coaching experience, championship pedigree, and commitment to student-athlete development make him well-positioned to lead the Sea Gulls and continue Salisbury's tradition of excellence. Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have won a combined 23 team national championships, 26 individual national championships, and 211 conference championships, and have produced 54 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.