STEVEN BARTLEIN
Head Coach
Steve Bartlein was hired as UWRF's head baseball coach in August of 2023.
Bartlein comes 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 with an overall record of 176-52, including an NCAA Super Regional 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.
BRIAN GIEBEL
Assistant Coach
Brian Giebel, a River Falls native, joined the UWRF Baseball coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2024. He works primarily with UWRF's hitters, base runners, and outfielders.
Giebel played baseball at UW-Stout from 2008-11 and earned a pair of All-WIAC honors along with an All-Region accolade in 2011. He holds Blue Devil career records in runs scored (140) and remains in the top 10 for hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases, while also hitting 19 home runs. He was recognized as a member of the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team in 2011 and was a two-year team captain.
He brings over 10 years of coaching and training experience to UWRF. Since 2013 he has worked with youth, high school, and collegiate players. Currently, he is the hitting coordinator for Big Fish Baseball instruction and the director of Sandlot Camps, a youth summer camp conducted in River Falls. He spent seven years as the lead hitting and fielding instructor at Field of Dreams in River Falls (2013-2020). He also has been a talent scout, assistant manager, and player for the River Falls Fighting Fish amateur team since 2013, in which he has a career batting average of .359 with 70 home runs.
Giebel received a bachelor's degree in business marketing while at UW-Stout. He lives in River Falls with his wife Tia, and sons Cal, Myles, and Nolan.
WESTON LOMBARD
Assistant Coach
Weston Lombard, a native of Stillwater, Minn., will serve as the UWRF pitching coach, hired in the summer of 2024.
Lombard is a graduate of St. Paul Academy and made a pair of stops during his collegiate baseball career, the first at Gustavus Adolphus College (2018-2021). He was a member of the 2019 Gustavus MIAC Championship team and in 2021, he received All-Conference and All-Region awards. His Gustavus career was highlighted by a nine-inning no-hitter against Bethel University in 2021 and he currently holds the single season strikeout record (72). After the 2021 season, Lombard transferred to the University of San Francisco for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. At USF, he garnered First Team WCC All Academic honors and led team in wins, saves, ERA, and appearances during the 2023 season.
After his collegiate playing career, Lombard played for the New York Boulders, a professional baseball team in the Frontier League (2023). He is the pitching coordinator for Big Fish Baseball instruction and has coached youth, high school and collegiate pitchers.
Lombard received a bachelor's degree in public accounting from Gustavus Adolphus College (2021) and a master's degree in sport management from University of San Francisco (2023). He currently works as a product manager for the Mustard App leading product development and implementation. Mustard uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to capture pitcher biomechanics and create individualized training programming.
MARTY HERUM
Assistant Coach
A River Falls native, Marty Herum joined the UWRF Baseball coaching staff in 2024 to work with hitters and infielders.
Herum is a UW-Whitewater graduate and was a two-time All-WIAC and Position Player of the Year (2012-13). In two seasons, Herum posted a career .411 batting average with 40 doubles, seven triples, 12 home runs, and 101 runs batted in. The Warhawks were 68-26 in that span with a WIAC Championship in 2013 and two NCAA Midwest Regional appearances.
Marty was signed to a free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the summer of 2013. Over the next seven seasons, he advanced five levels with the organization making stops at all the minor league affiliates. In that time, Herum was recognized as a Mid-Season All Star for the Midwest League in 2014 and 2015, a MiLB All Star for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2016 and 2017, a CAL Post-Season All Star in 2016 and a CAL Mid-Season All Star in 2017. He finished his professional career with a .292 batting average and 120 doubles in 607 career games.
Herum currently resides in River Falls with his wife Natasha, and their two daughters, Aubrey, and Braylee.
MICHAEL BARNES
Assistant Coach
Coming Soon!
GARY REISSMAN
Assistant Coach
Gary played his collegiate baseball at Madison College where he was part of the 1997 NJCAA DIII National Championship team. During the 1997 Championship run, Gary played DH and Second Base and was in the top 3 for AB's, Hits, RBI's Triples & Home Runs, and finished the season with a .363 batting average. He was also named to the Conference All-Academic Team.
Professionally, Gary took his baseball experience into the business world, where he continues to be a sales coach and business consultant. Back on the Diamond, He eventually coached his son's Little League Baseball team to 3 straight city championships. His son eventually went on to play college football at UWRF from 2019-2024, which is what led Gary to the UWRF baseball program.
Gary and his wife Erica have 2 children, Gerica & Jager.
RYAN SISKO
Assistant Coach
Ryan Sisko, a Menomonie, WI native, joined the UWRF Baseball staff in 2024 as an Assistant Coach & Director of Baseball Operations.
Ryan served as UWRF Baseball Club President for 2 years & played for the UWRF Club Team for 3 years (no 2020 season). Was a part of the 2019 conference championship club team, and led the UWRF Club Team to its first ever playoff appearance in 2023. Hit .339 as a senior and finished 8th in the country in hits for NCBA Dlll. Current amateur player in the WBA
To date Ryan has amassed coaching experience at the club/travel with Great Lakes Academy, Menomonie High School and collegiate NCBA level. In addition to his on-field coaching, he has worked as a station lead for the Minnesota Twins Baseball Academy.
