Detail Page

News Story

Lou Eckerl to Retire

Lou Eckerl has shared with the Calvert Hall community that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 academic year. This marks the end of an era for the athletic director and varsity baseball coach who has given 40 years of service to the school.

When asked what Lou Eckerl means to the CHC community, Calvert Hall president, Brother John Kane FSC, Ed.D., shared, “You can certainly point to the wins and championships Calvert Hall has won during Lou’s time; however, the greater and more important barometer is the care he has had for his players and all our student-athletes during his tenure. The mark of a Lasallian educator is touching the hearts of your students. Throughout his entire career, Lou put our students first. We are indebted to him and will miss his presence greatly”.
For the past forty years, Eckerl has loved his job. The secret to his happiness is, “finding a job that you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Although he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and grandkids, he will miss his colleagues and the students. He went on to state, “I am forever grateful for the opportunity given to me by Br. René Sterner, FSC, and Lou Heidrick, AFSC. I am thankful for the ‘five all-stars’ who helped shape my career – Bill Karpovich, Joe Binder, Reds Hucht, Mark Amatucci, and Augie Miceli. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Carol, for putting up with me as well as her understanding nature of the amount of time I spent at Calvert Hall.”
In 1982, Eckerl inherited an athletics program that offered 10 sports and 21 teams. In those 40 years, the program has grown to 17 sports and 40 teams. In the past 40 years, Calvert Hall has won 300 conference championships. Eckerl was involved in the construction of Paul Russo Angelo Stadium, Crispino Stadium, the multipurpose practice fields, and the Performance Center. In 2009, Crispino Stadium was recognized as the National High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 2 Field of the Year in 2009 and 2019 and the National Field of the Year in 2009.
Outside of his role as an athletic director, Eckerl also is well known as Calvert Hall’s varsity baseball coach. He has been involved with the program since 1982, taking the reigns as head coach in 2002. During his time as head coach, he has won 8 MIAA Championships and named Coach of the Year by The Baltimore Sun (2005, 2007, 2019), the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches Private School (2005, 2007, 2019), the Old Timers Baseball Association of Maryland (2006, 2008), American Baseball Coaches Association Region 2 (2008), and National High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 2 (2005). His team has been ranked #1 by The Baltimore Sun six times and in the top 10 by USA Today twice nationally and five times regionally. In 2016, he was inducted into the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. He has coached 185 student-athletes who have gone on to play in the collegiate ranks, and 17 who have played professionally. On May 4, 2021, Eckerl earned his 500th career victory and enters his 23rd year as head coach with .762 winning percentage (503-157).
Director of school & college counseling and assistant varsity baseball coach, Brooks Kerr ’87 added, “Lou’s commitment to Calvert Hall is undeniable. Simply, no one gives more of himself to the school and to the students. He has done so much behind the scenes to assist students from helping to find tuition assistance to finding clothes for a student whose family’s home burned down in a fire. He truly cares about the students and Calvert Hall. He should be thought of as one of the legends of Calvert Hall with Binder, Karpovich, Amatucci, and Miceli.”
More details regarding the celebration to honor Eckerl’s tenure will be released this spring. A search to identify Calvert Hall’s next athletic director will begin in the coming weeks.   
Back