SCORE! Berkman at Bat

Baseball Legend Lance Berkman Joins Baseball Program

UST’s Baseball Program will benefit from baseball legend Lance Berkman’s talent and knowledge in the position of assistant coach.

“The obvious thing that will stick out to most people is that the name Lance Berkman is synonymous with Houston baseball, and this is another remarkable impact he’s made in the long history of the sport in our city,” Baseball Head Coach Clayton VanderLaan said. “While we’re excited to be a small part of that legacy, there’s no question that he’s been brought on staff because he’s a tremendous coach and a true baseball guy.”

Berkman had an illustrious MLB career where he played 15 seasons for the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He was drafted in the first round by the Houston Astros, where he spent the majority of his career. The six-time MLB All Star won a World Series championship and the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award with the Cardinals in 2011. At the conclusion of his career, Berkman hit 366 home runs and recorded 1234 RBIs. He is the all-time leader in Houston Astros history for On-Base Percentage (.410), second for career home runs and fifth for hits with 1,648.

Berkman’s ties to Houston run much deeper than his seasons with the Astros. He also played college ball at Rice University where he was named National Player of the Year and earned first team All-American honors. 

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to help coach at UST,” Berkman said. “Coach VanderLaan and his staff have a great energy and passion for baseball that is contagious. Coaching college baseball has always been a dream of mine, and it will be exciting to help build the foundation for a championship program.”

Berkman joins VanderLaan and fellow Assistant Coach Tyler Bremer. The trio looks to add to the culture already established and continue to build a premier program in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.  

Join the Champions Club

The Champions Club is back! By making an unrestricted gift to UST Athletics, you gain membership to the Champions Club, a group of UST fans, family and alumni who join in the shared vision of providing the best athletic experience for University of St. Thomas student-athletes. Champions Club giving opportunities range from the $125 level to $5,000, each carrying special opportunities.

For more information or to join, see (stthom.edu/ChampionsClub) or contact Jeff Doherty at dohertjd@stthom.edu.