Mike Berkun Hired as Buffalo State Head Men's Basketball Coach
Buffalo State Sports Information Department
BUFFALO, NY – Mike Berkun has been named the 11th head coach of the men's basketball program at Buffalo State, Director of Athletics Renee Carlineo officially announced on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mike Berkun to Buffalo State as the next head coach of our men's basketball team," Carlineo said. "He is an experienced and energetic coach who holds a great reputation for developing student-athletes on the court, in the classroom, and as campus leaders."
"Mike's excellent retention and graduation rates for student-athletes, coupled with previous coaching and administrative success at SUNY Maritime, make me extremely confident in his ability to develop our student-athletes into successful professionals and young adults, and also transform our men's basketball program into a conference powerhouse and national contender on an annual basis."
Berkun, a Williamsville native and graduate of Williamsville North High School, returns to the Buffalo area after serving as head coach of the men's basketball program at SUNY Maritime since 2017. He has also held the title of Athletic Director at Maritime since 2019.
During his six seasons at Maritime, Berkun won 60 games and guided his team to a Skyline Tournament berth and a winning record in each of the last two seasons. In 2023-24, Maritime finished with 14 victories, securing a top-four seed in the conference tournament, the first time in program history with back-to-back home playoff games. That followed a 2022-23 season that saw the squad post a 12-win improvement, finishing with an overall record of 16-11. The 16 victories were the team's most since 2009-10, which was also the last time the Privateers had a winning record. The 2022-23 season also culminated in Skyline Conference Coach of the Year honors for Berkun.
Along with the team success, Berkun guided his student-athletes to numerous individual accomplishments, including five 1,000-point scorers in six seasons, three All-Skyline Conference selections, three All-Metropolitan honorees, one D3hoops.com All-Region selection, and one Josten's Award Finalist.
As an administrator at Maritime, Berkun led the Athletic Department through the COVID-19 pandemic and established and implemented a successful return-to-competition plan during the 2021-22 academic year. He was also instrumental in the reintroduction of women's basketball as a varsity sport at the College, oversaw the football team's change in conference affiliation, and implemented the "Shipyard Game of the Week" to enhance game day environments on campus.
"I want to thank Renee and the rest of the hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the Buffalo State men's basketball program," said Berkun. "From my perspective, this program has the history and potential to be built into an elite Division III program, and one that will represent the city of Buffalo extremely well. I'm excited to start working with the student-athletes, and look forward to competing for a SUNYAC Championship."
Berkun joined Maritime after three seasons at Daemen College in Amherst, NY, where he was the associate head coach from 2014-2017. The Wildcats went 59-29 during that time, and Berkun helped the team to consecutive East Coast Conference Tournament appearances. Berkun's responsibilities at Daemen included recruiting, player development, strength & conditioning, fundraising and academic advising. He was also the director of the team camp and basketball camp. In addition, Berkun worked with the Gamechangers Program, giving the inner-city youth of Buffalo an opportunity to play basketball.
Prior to his stint at Daemen, Berkun spent four years, from 2010 to 2014, as the associate head coach at his alma mater—Medaille College. The Mavericks amassed 78 wins during his tenure, an average of 19.5 per season, and reached the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference semifinals in all four years. Medaille also claimed the AMCC Championship and earned an NCAA Tournament berth in 2011-12.
During his playing career at Medaille, Berkun amassed 481 career points, including 276 as a senior. He also tallied 199 assists and 135 rebounds. Berkun served as a team captain during both his junior and senior seasons, guiding the Mavericks to consecutive Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Tournament titles.
He graduated from Medaille with honors with a degree in liberal studies in 2010. Berkun received a master's degree in sport administration from Canisius College (now Canisius University) in 2015.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MIKE
"Buffalo State made a tremendous choice in hiring Mike Berkun. I have known Mike for a long time and had the privilege of coaching him in college at Medaille and working with him at both Medaille and Daemen.
As a player, Michael just wanted to win-he did not care about stats or who got the credit. That attitude helped lead us to two NCAA Tournaments. As a coach, he was the same way...and he helped lead Medaille and Daemen to unprecedented success!
Mike will recruit and develop well-rounded student-athletes who will contribute to the overall campus environment at Buffalo State. He improved the program at SUNY Maritime this way and he will do the same at Buffalo State.
Mike Berkun is the consummate team player who will bring energy and enthusiasm every day. He will not be outworked! Mike loves Buffalo and it is great to have him back in Western New York."
-Mike MacDonald, Daemen University Head Men's Basketball Coach
"What an amazing hire by Buffalo State! Michael Berkun represents everything that you could ever want in a basketball coach; a leader of young men, a brilliant basketball mind, and someone that will care about the institution and his student-athletes at the highest level. Buffalo State is getting a rising star who is a Buffalo native - he knows what it means to be from Buffalo and succeed in the city. I am so excited to see him build the Buffalo State program into a championship program in the near future!"
-Adam Cohen, Xavier University Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Mike is an experienced recruiter and a knowledgeable coach. He is an even better person. There is no one who will work harder than Mike to ensure his student athletes will excel on and off the court. The Bengals are getting a great one. Buffalo is in for quite the treat, and I am excited about what Mike can bring to Buffalo State Basketball!!"
-Turner Battle, Park School Director of Athletics
"Buffalo State made a great hire! Mike is extremely passionate in all that he does! As a basketball coach and administrator, he simply finds a way to get the job done. He always arrives with a great attitude and focus. Mike is the coach that will accept a challenge and surpass your expectations."
-Kristofer Schnatz, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Director of Athletics
