Bill Gehrke begins his 28th season as a member of the Long Island University softball coaching staff in 2021-22. In addition to his dugout coaching role, Gehrke is responsible for many day-to-day program operations. These duties include program travel coordinator, equipment manager, and recruiting visit coordinator.
In his tenure, LIU has won over 700 games, including seven straight Northeast Conference Tournament or regular season championships and 10 overall NEC Championships and 10 NCAA Regionals appearances. Over the past 22 years the team has made it to the NEC championship game 18 times.
The 2010 team won a program-best 39 contests, and the 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2016 squads captured the NEC Tournament championship, thus earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
A tireless worker, Gehrke’s knowledge of the game has been instrumental in developing over 100 all-conference players over the last 28 seasons. His innovative softball mind has helped to develop LIU’s successful defensive strategies.
In 2002, Gehrke’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he was a recipient of the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award. Criteria for the award include longevity, knowledge, long-term success and special contributions to the school and/or community.
Before his position at LIU, Gehrke spent nearly 20 years coaching, running and promoting training clinics in girls’ and women’s softball. From 1985-87, he served as head softball coach at St. Francis Brooklyn. He was also director of softball programs at several private athletic associations and provided individual training throughout the area. Gehrke currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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