Marc Burchanowski (1995-98) was an impact player and elevated the baseball program during his four years as a starting catcher and four more as an assistant coach. He enriched the program by providing a new level of toughness to the team and unparalleled leadership for the Behrend Lions and Head Coach Paul Benim.

Burchanowski was revered for his arm, while helping pitchers excel from the bump. As a sophomore he guided the program to its highest win total as an NCAA Division III school and then there was more to come.

Burchanowski was previewed by Collegiate Baseball as a Player to Watch. He did not disappoint. As a junior and senior he was chosen to guide the program as its team captain and was then picked as the team MVP. In 1997-98 he was named Behrend’s Male Athlete of the Year.

During his stellar senior year, Burchanowski led the blue and white to the school-record for wins with 23. He posted a .318 average with 27 RBIs, the third most in a single-season. In addition, Burchanowski was named to the first-ever AMCC All-Conference baseball team.

Burchanowski, a lifetime .321 hitter, finished his career ranking second in games played with 117, third in RBIs (69) and runs scored, fourth in doubles, steals (32) and in hits (106)—tying Hall of Famer Reese Wetzel.

Burchanowski, a Franklin High School graduate, currently teaches science at North East Elementary and is taking the baseball program to new heights.