Episode 27

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Published on:

31st Dec 2020

Mike Berkun - Maritime College Men's Basketball Head Coach

Mike Berkun is the Men's Basketball Head Coach at Maritime College in Throgg's Neck, New York.

In May of 2017, Berkun became the 15th individual to hold the head coaching position at Maritime dating back to the program's inception in the 1940s.

In addition to his basketball role at Maritime, Berkun also holds the position of Athletic Director for Facilities.

Berkun arrived at Maritime from Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y., where he recently served as Associate Head Coach of the Wildcat team that has amassed a 59-29 record in his stint on the sideline. While serving as associate head coach; he was tasked with recruiting, player development, strength & conditioning, fundraising, academics and numerous other responsibilities.

In addition to his experience in the Wildcat athletic department, Berkun was also the director of the Team Camp and Basketball Camp director. He has also been the director of the Gamechangers Program since 2012 and works with inner-city youth of Buffalo, N.Y. and gives them a chance to play basketball.

Prior to Daemen, Berkun was the associate head coach at Division III Medaille College in Buffalo, N.Y., and helped the program to 78 wins during his four-year stint with the Mavericks. His duties at Medaille focused on recruiting, scouting, player development, strength & conditioning, fundraising, and consulting student-athletes academically.

Before coaching on the sidelines at Medaille, Berkun was a student-athlete for the Mavericks as a member of their men's basketball program. As a student-athlete he amassed 481 points including a career-best 276 as a senior, he also tallied 199 career assists to go along with 135 rebounds. As both a junior and senior, Berkun served as a team captain and guided the team to back-to-back Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Tournament Championships.

Berkun graduated from Medaille with a Bachelor's Degree with honors in Liberal Studies in 2010. He later went on to earn his Master's Degree in Sports Administration at Canisius College in 2015.

Twitter

@mikeberkun

@MaritimeHoops

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About the Podcast

Beyond the Ball
“Fueling your Faith and Family through Sport”
Welcome to the “Beyond the Ball” podcast with Coach Eric Klumpp and Coach Justin Gerstung, two basketball coaches here to celebrate the game of basketball, and all sport, with real discussions, with real coaches from all levels, that use their platform to serve others while finding balance off the court in their faith, with their families, and in their communities. Join us in celebrating the way YOU serve, love, and care.

About your hosts

Eric Klumpp

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Eric Klumpp is a high school basketball coach in the Western New York area at Newfane HS. He has coached at the JV level for 9 years and at the varsity level for 9 years. He grew up on a dairy farm in northern Niagara County and has been teaching health and physical education at Newfane HS for the past 17 years. He is co-owner of Tents Unlimited; a party tent rental company that supplies large tents to customers for all occasions. He is an active member of Ridgewood Bible Church community and also has participated in men’s physique bodybuilding competitions.
Some thoughts from Coach Klumpp, “The journey of life is a difficult one, life will give you tests; and through those tests you learn valuable lessons. Through basketball and all sport, we get to learn valuable lessons to be used to serve ourselves and allow us to grow. I am very excited to share my experiences and knowledge in hopes to serve others on the same coaching journey that I have been on”. Through this pod I pray to bring light on important issues that surround the importance of mental, social and physical wellness and how it creates a better environment for us to thrive as a coach and build lasting relationships with those that we serve. One of my favorite verses in scripture is Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Justin Gerstung

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Justin Gerstung is a high school basketball coach in the Western New York area at Akron HS. He has coached at the JV level for four years and at the varsity level for fifteen years. He has been married to his beautiful wife Rochelle since 2003 and has four children, Emma, Benjamin, Abby, and Noelle. Coach G teaches MS Social Studies at Akron MS, helps run the youth basketball program in the community, coaches AAU with the Buffalo Titans, and most importantly to him, is a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church vestry. In addition, he runs the Wall of Fame Committee at Akron, coaches youth soccer, and loves the Buffalo Bills. Some thoughts from Coach Gerstung “I believe that basketball is a microcosm for the game of life, those with the best spirit, approach, and perseverance are the ones that find true happiness. The game of basketball, and all sport, have created so many positive experiences in my life that the desire to share is overwhelming. This pod is a way to show gratitude for what I have, while trying to serve others. Taking initiative and being fearless is something I try to model for my kids and students and it is ultimately my goal to serve that helps define my priorities and in turn helps me create balance. I could not do any of this without the support of my wife and kids, family, and friends. Our family words… hungry, humble, fearless embody the approach I try to take everyday and pass on to my kids. I am learning as I grow as a Christ follower and husband, the value of the process and the importance of celebrating others and celebrating their successes! My hope is that this podcast can spread some of the love that I have for this game!” Coach Gerstung hopes that those that listen enjoy all the extra stuff that sport has to offer and encourages feedback and the creation of dialogue.