Berkemeier Takes the Reigns of the Tech Baseball Program

Mercurio joins staff as assistant coach   Melbourne, Fla. (Baseball) – Florida Tech athletics
director Bill Jurgens announced Thursday that long time assistant coach Greg Berkemerier has been officially named the
interim head coach of the Panther baseball program for the 2007-08 season. Berkemerier takes over the reins after spending the past five years as the
team’s assistant and the departure of former head coach Paul Knight.   “Greg has done an outstanding job as an assistant and we appreciate all that he
has done for us over the past several years,” Jurgens said. “I look forward to working with him this year and having him lead this program.”   “I’m
very excited about staying for this great opportunity,” said Berkemeier. “I know that I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to the chance to build
on the success this program has seen and take it to the next level.”   During his stint as an assistant, Berkemerier’s primary responsibilities
included recruiting coordinator, coaching infielders and hitters, strength and conditioning, and offensive execution.   “Greg has played an
instrumental role in our recent success,” Knight previously said of his successor. “He is a tireless recruiter and works extremely hard. His impact with
our program has been tremendous. Without exception, his efforts deserve the utmost praise.”   In addition to his coaching duties, Berkemeier has
played an instrumental role in the organization of summer and winter camps, and team fundraisers. Berkemeier first worked with Coach Knight as an assistant
coach for the Peninsula Pilots (Summer Collegiate Wooden Bat League).   Prior to joining Florida Tech, Berkemeier was the assistant baseball coach at
Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, for the 2001 season. From 1997 to 2001, he was an assistant at Bowling Green State University where he coached
outfielders and hitters and assisted with baseball camps and fundraising. Berkemeier graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor of
education in sports management in 1999 and a master of education in sports management in 2001.   Not wasting any time on building his staff and his
program, Berkemeier brought Matthew Mercurio on board as the program’s new assistant. A four-year all-star for Florida Southern College,
Mercurio helped lead the Mocs to the 2005 Division II National Championship.   “I’m very excited to bring someone with Matt’s experience on staff,”
Berkemeier said. “He has a wealth of baseball knowledge to share and can help us get to the championship level that we are striving for.”   After
completing his career at Florida Southern in 2005 with a bachelor of science in business administration, Mercurio was drafted by the Boston Red Sox
organization and played in their system until March 2007. Since May, he has played for the New Haven County Cutters of the Canadian/American Independent
Baseball League. Mercurio was also a TRP Baseball instructor as well as for the YMCA and Lakeland City Parks and Recreation.  

“I’m very enthused to be presented with this career opportunity and get my foot in the door in college coaching,” Mercurio said. “I’m eager not only to
learn, but also to share my successful experiences and pass on my knowledge to the team.”