Steve Bartlein was named the 11th head coach in UW-River Falls baseball history in August of 2023, charged with leading the revival of a program that had been dormant since 2002. Since returning to the diamond in 2025, Bartlein has guided the Falcons through the early stages of the program’s return while quickly establishing competitiveness within the WIAC.
Through his first two seasons, Bartlein has compiled a 34-48 overall record. The 2026 season marked a major milestone for the reinstated program, as the Falcons finished fourth in the WIAC standings to earn the program’s first-ever berth in the WIAC Tournament since the league adopted its postseason format in 1998. UWRF opened tournament play with a statement victory over top-seeded and defending national champion UW-Whitewater. The season was also highlighted by WIAC series victories over UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, and UW-Oshkosh.
In the program’s historic return season in 2025, Bartlein led the Falcons to a 13-27 overall record and a 6-22 mark in WIAC play. UWRF announced its return in emphatic fashion with a 14-3 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan on March 13, the program’s first win since May 2002. Later that season, the Falcons captured three of four games against UW-Stevens Point during the team’s home and conference-opening series, including the program’s first home victory since reinstatement on March 28. UWRF also earned notable wins over regionally ranked Bethel University and UW-Oshkosh.
Since the program’s return in 2025, Bartlein has coached four All-WIAC selections. In 2026, Andrew Athmann earned All-Region honors at catcher, becoming the first Falcon baseball player to receive All-Region recognition since 2002.
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 was 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.
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