Ted Bergman

Ted Bergman

Head coach Dylan Sheridan announced the addition of Ted Bergman as volunteer assistant coach in the fall of 2018.

Cleveland State had its finest season yet in 2019 with Bergman’s assistance. The Vikings won seven of their final 10 games to close the year, doubling their win total from the prior season in the process. In doing so, CSU posted a winning record in just its third season of existence despite facing six teams among the top 25 in the NCAA’s RPI.

The leading cause for CSU’s success may have been its ride, as the Vikings led the nation in opponent clearing percentage (.707), edging out national champion Virginia. Only one CSU opponent cleared at a rate better than the national average. Riding was not the only area in which the Vikings rated highly as CSU finished among the top 25 nationally in eight team statistical categories overall.

Bergman, a standout goaltender at Division III powerhouse Wesleyan University, brought significant experience playing and coaching overseas.

Prior to his appointment, Bergman had spent the past five summers living in Israel where he helped develop and coach lacrosse at the grassroots level. He was an assistant coach for Uganda at the 2018 World Championships and served as the head coach for the inaugural Slovenian national team at the 2016 European Lacrosse Championships in Hungary. 

Bergman was named National Goalie of the Year in 2017, earning the Ensign C. Markland Kelly, Jr. honor from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. He was the first Wesleyan player to be named a First Team All-American as a goalie as he led the team to its first NCAA Final Four appearance in a decade. Bergman led the Cardinals on a program-record 20-game winning streak in his final season, which helped break school records for wins and conference wins. Wesleyan won the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Tournament title for just the second time in school history as Bergman led the league with a 9.45 goals against mark while posting a .550 save percentage. Wesleyan held 15 of its 22 opponents to a single-digit goal total.

Bergman had helped Wesleyan to 10 wins in his junior season and earned All-NESCAC honors for the first of two successive campaigns.

Bergman was a team captain at Wesleyan and also earned All-Academic honors from the NESCAC on three occasions. He played in 48 collegiate games, spending over 2,200 minutes in the cage.

Bergman also spent two seasons playing in the Israel Premier Lacrosse League. He earned league MVP honors and was a two-time All-IPLL First Team selection. Following his playing days, Bergman served as the commissioner of the league, which featured players from seven different countries.

A native of Meida, Pa., Bergman earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wesleyan in 2017. He proceeded to earn a Master of Arts in Public Policy in conflict resolution and mediation from Tel Aviv University in 2018.