Eric Burkle led the West Liberty University baseball team to another successful campaign in 2025, marking the program’s ninth 20-win season under his leadership. Now in his 13th season as head coach and 18th overall with the Hilltopper staff, Burkle has guided the program with consistency and vision, including a record-tying streak of six straight 20-win seasons from 2013 to 2018. With 256 career wins, he ranks second all-time in program history.
Burkle’s reputation for player development has been a hallmark of his tenure. He has coached 10 First Team All-Mountain East Conference selections and produced two MEC Freshmen of the Year, including standout pitcher Tyler Skeen, who earned the honor in 2025.
A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and a graduate of Wheeling Park High School, Burkle began his collegiate playing career at Fairmont State University before an injury cut it short. He transitioned to coaching shortly thereafter, serving as an assistant at Wheeling Central Catholic High School, where he helped lead the Maroon Knights to back-to-back state championships. It was during this successful run that he caught the attention of longtime WLU head coach and Hall of Famer Bo McConnaughy.
Burkle joined the West Liberty coaching staff in 2008 as McConnaughy's top assistant and spent five seasons learning under the legendary coach. When McConnaughy retired after more than three decades at the helm, Burkle was chosen as his successor—continuing to build on the foundation while establishing his own legacy.
He resides in Bethlehem, West Virginia, with his wife, Amy. The couple has three children: daughters Haley and Sydney, and son Liam.
