Arkansas Tech University Athletics

Josh Bertke enters his third season as associate head coach for Arkansas Tech softball in 2022, after working as an assistant for the Golden Suns during the for three years and one year as a volunteer assistant to Kristina McSweeney. Bertke is the primary hitting coach, third base coach and infield coach.
 
Since 2016, when Bertke was an assistant volunteer coach, the Golden Suns hold a 219-95-1 record.

The 2018 Golden Suns claimed their first conference tournament championship in program history and advanced to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament for the third time in four seasons.

In 2019 and 2021, Bertke saw his second and third consecutive GAC tournament championship victory. The Golden Suns went 47-15 overall and 35-7 in conference during the 2019 season and 28-18-1 overall and 21-9 in conference during the 2021 season. Their championship wins led them once again to the NCAA DII Regional Tournament. 

As the hitting coach, he worked with Tymber Riley and Megan Goodnight as they earned all-American honors.  

Bertke coached two-time Great American Conference Pitcher of the Year Jalissa Gum, as well as Tech's first all-America first team selection in Megan Goodnight. 

During the 2016 season, Bertke was the first base and infield coach, helping lead the Golden Suns softball team to a 49-11 record, including a Great American Conference regular season championship and an appearance in the NCAA Central Super Regional Championship.
 
Before coming to Arkansas Tech, Bertke coached the Bluegrass Lions Select Summer Baseball Team. Bertke served as an assistant coach during the summer of 2012 but was promoted to interim head coach during the summer of 2013. Bertke’s duties included third base coach, as well as hitting and pitching coach.
 
Bertke also has experience as a strength and conditioning coach, as he has worked with Tech’s football, volleyball and women’s basketball teams since 2015. He assisted with the implementation and supervision of softball training, as well.
 
Bertke attended Asbury University for a bachelor’s degree, majoring in exercise science. During his time at Asbury, he was a four-year member of the baseball team. Bertke earn his master’s degree in strength and conditioning from Arkansas Tech.

Josh Bertke is married to Sloane Bertke who played four years of college soccer at Asbury University.