Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott has hired Rebecca Burke as its head women’s basketball coach to lead the inaugural Eagles team that will begin play in the fall of 2016.
Burke spent the last year at Saint Joseph’s College as an assistant coach and has also been the director of basketball operations for California State University–Fullerton.
“It’s a privilege and honor to be a part of the Embry-Riddle Athletics Department, and to have the opportunity to build the first women’s basketball program in Prescott Campus history,” said Burke. “I’m excited for our university, and also for our community as a whole, to have the chance to embrace our women’s basketball team.”
This is Burke’s first head coaching job. She enjoyed a successful playing career at the University of Louisville where her accomplishments included being team captain from 2009-2012, being a member of the 2009 National Runners-Up Squad, scoring over 1,000 career points, making fourth All-Time in 3-pointers for the Cardinals and finishing as the 2012 State Farm 3-point shoot-out runner-up.
Burke’s experience at NCAA Division I and Division II levels will be paramount in building the Eagles’ first-ever women’s team. “Our main focus for this coming year will be to lay the necessary foundation to build a successful program,” Burke said. “We’ll be working hard to recruit a team of intelligent, talented young women who will excel not only in the classroom and on the basketball court, but in the community as well.”
Embry-Riddle Prescott decided on Burke following a long national search. “I’m delighted to have Becky be a part of our program,” said Athletic Director Ted Blake. “She’s very energetic and driven and those qualities are a great asset to the university. Becky also has a tremendous basketball IQ and is a terrific person who I think young women will aspire to play for. She’s already out recruiting and it will be exciting to see the program grow over the next few years.”
Burke wants fans to know that she intends to put a product on the court that is “skilled, plays extremely hard and competes from tip-off to final buzzer.
http://prescott.embryriddlesports.com/news/2015/7/9/WBB_0709155635.aspx
Tagged with: CalPac ERAU NAIA Rebecca Burke
