Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324 

Aug. 1, 2022 - North Central College athletic director Jim Miller '86 has announced the hiring of Vasiliki Berkman as the new head coach for the Cardinals' women's lacrosse program.

Berkman comes to North Central following coaching stops at Aurora University, the University of Colorado-Boulder, and True Lacrosse Club in Lombard, where she has been since September 2020. She has over five years of collegiate coaching and recruiting experience.

"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Berkman to the coaching staff here at North Central College," Miller said. "She has a lot of local connections to the Naperville area that will benefit the program for years to come."

"I have always admired North Central as a competitor and would often share, if this position opened up, I would have to apply," said Berkman. "North Central's strong academics, competitive athletics, and small class size make for an amazing opportunity, not only as a coach, but as a student-athlete."

Berkman served as head coach as well as marketing director for True Lacrosse. She places a great deal of importance on communication and organization, not only in marketing but as a head coach as well.

"This head coach title is one I don't take lightly and I will give all that I have to this program and everyone on our team," Berkman said. "I want each individual to have the opportunity to find success within their skillset and challenge them to grow in ways they might not have thought possible. Outside of the time on the field together, I know North Central women's lacrosse will continue to be a leader in the classroom and an advocate for excellence across campus."

Berkman's specific coaching experience comes at the goalkeeper position, as she has coached the position since 2012 for various organizations. While playing goalkeeper at Rollins College ( Florida), her team made the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 2012 and 2013.

"Once I found myself on North Central's campus, the overwhelming feeling of community and meeting with others within the department, them sharing their lengthy tenures— I discovered all my suspicions were correct. North Central was where I wanted to be," Berkman said.

The Cardinals began their program back in 2009 as the first NCAA Division III school in Illinois to field a women's lacrosse team. Berkman becomes the third head coach for the Cardinals, who open the 2023 season in March.

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