ABOUT COACH GEHRKE
Along with head coach Roy Kortmann, Bill Gehrke begins his 13th season as a member of the Long Island University softball coaching staff.

Gehrke performs a number of roles for the program, including the implementation of game strategy and the coordination of national recruiting efforts.

In his tenure, the Blackbirds have won no fewer than 20 games in 10 consecutive seasons, including seven straight Northeast Conference Tournament or regular season championships. The 2001 team won a program-best 37 contests, and the 1999, 2003, 2004 and 2006 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 39 all-conference players over the last 10 seasons. His innovative softball mind has helped to develop the Blackbirds’ successful defenses, limiting opponents to an average of less than three runs per game.

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 included longevity, knowledge, long-term success and special contributions to the school and/or community.

Before accepting his post 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 coach at St. Francis (N.Y.). Gehrke completed two years of study at Brooklyn College in 1981.

He acted as director of softball programs at several private athletic associations and provided individual training throughout the area.

Gehrke resides in Boro Park.

ABOUT COACH MASTERS
Margie Masters, a two-time Northeast Conference champion as a third baseman for LIU, is in her third season as an assistant coach. The former Blackbird standout is responsible for assisting with the program's daily operations, game preparations, team conditioning, recruiting and student-athlete monitoring.

Formerly Margie Foster, she enjoyed a phenomenal four-year run in which she closed among the school’s all-time leaders with 161 hits, 32 doubles, 13 home runs, 98 RBI and 204 games. That included career bests in 2003 with a .314 batting average, 49 hits, 12 doubles and 34 RBI.

She was named first team all-conference as a freshman in 2000 with a .268 batting average and 24 RBI, helping LIU to a second straight NEC regular season crown. She was tabbed second team all-league in 2004 with a .257 batting average, six doubles and 26 RBI to close fifth in the conference.

In addition to the two NEC tournament championships, Foster helped lead LIU to at least a share of the conference’s regular season crown each of her four seasons. She competed in the NCAA Tournament in 2003 and 2004.

Her and her husband, Eric, a former soccer player at LIU and presently an assistant soccer coach at Fordham, reside in Bay Ridge.