Manhattan College has named Sonia Burke as interim head coach of the women’s basketball program. A 2001 graduate of Spring Hill College, Burke just completed her 13th season with the Jaspers, and her sixth as Associate Head Coach.
“I’m excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Burke said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our student-athletes and helping in their development both on the court and in the classroom.”
As Manhattan’s defensive coordinator, Burke was responsible for a unit that set a program record with 140 blocks in 2015-16. Individually, Kayla Grimme (Altoona, PA) broke the school record with 69 blocks, while Amani Tatum (Cambria Heights, NY) established a new program mark with 101 steals, which currently ranks fourth in the nation. Tatum became the first Jasper ever chosen as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Defensive Player of the Year, as well as a Second Team All-MAAC selection.
Tatum is the 12th All-MAAC performer that Burke has mentored during her time at Manhattan. The Jaspers have also had seven MAAC All-Rookie Team honorees and four All-Metropolitan selections since 2003-04. In addition, Manhattan has been named to the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll three times, and the Jaspers have collected 48 MAAC All-Academic Team selections.
Burke was also on the staff when Manhattan made back-to-back appearances in the semifinals of the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) in 2011 and 2012. In 2010-11, the Jaspers ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 50.9 points per game, while notching a program-record 24 wins.
Prior to her arrival in Riverdale, Burke was an assistant coach at Saint Francis (PA) in 2002-03, when the Red Flash won the Northeast Conference title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
http://www.gojaspers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12500&ATCLID=210784587
