STEVEN BARTLEIN

Head Coach/Director of Camps and Clinics

Steve Bartlein took the helm as the 11th head coach in UW-River Falls baseball history in August of 2023, tasked with reviving a program that had been sidelined since 2002. In his first season, Bartlein guided the Falcons through a historic return to the diamond in 2025, turning in a 13-27 overall record and a 6-22 mark during WIAC competition.

UWRF opened the 2025 season with a commanding 14-3 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan on March 13, the program's first win since May of 2002. The momentum continued as the Falcons took three of four games over UW-Stevens Point during their home and WIAC openers, marking the program's first home victory since reinstatement on March 28. In addition, UWRF secured wins over regionally ranked Bethel University and UW-Oshkosh.

Bartlein came to River Falls after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater since 2017. During his six seasons at UWW, the Warhawks were four-time WIAC Champions with four NCAA Regional appearances along with an overall record of 176-52, including an NCAA Super Regional appearance in 2022.

Serving as the Warhawks' recruiting coordinator and academic liaison while leading baseball operations and coordination the Warhawk Baseball Clinic Series, Bartlein was also a lecturer in UWW's Kinesiology/Physical Education Department. In addition, Bartlein is a Field Director at the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Academy, leading itineraries, curriculum, facilities, and camp functions.

A member of the Warhawks' baseball team from 2010-13, Bartlein guided UWW to a pair of WIAC championships and one WIAC Tournament title while reaching the NCAA Tournament four times, including an appearance in the Division III World Series in 2011. A two-year starting infielder, Bartlein garnered first team All-WIAC accolades in 2013 and was a two-time WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team selection. He received a bachelor's degree in Special Education from UW-Whitewater in December 2013 and a master's degree in Health, Human Performance and Recreation in 2018.

Before returning to his alma mater, Bartlein coached at Brookfield East High School, serving as the head varsity coach in 2017. Prior to that he served as head junior varsity coach in 2014, varsity assistant coach in 2015 and 2016 for Brookfield Central High School. He was also an assistant coach at Carroll University during the 2016 and 2017 seasons, working as an infield/hitting coach.