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MLL GAME DAY AT New York 

MEET

coach 

Burdick

CHRIS BURDICK BIO

 

Chris Burdick joined the Tampa coaching staff in 2012 under Head Coach Rory Whipple and has helped build the Spartans into one of the top programs in Division II.  Burdick serves as the defensive coordinator and goalie coach for the Spartans.  In 2017, Burdick will assume the additional duties of working as an assistant coach for the MLL Florida Launch under Head Coach Tom Mariano.

Education:

Masters Degree from the University of Delaware in Health, Physical Education and Recreation (GPA 4.0).  

Bachelors Degree from the University of Delaware. 

Awards & Nominations:

2016 NIKE/IMLCA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year

2008 MAAC Coach of the Year 

In 24 seasons of NCAA lacrosse, Burdick has led his teams to a total of 9 NCAA tournaments and 19 conference tournament or regular season championships. 

 

In just five short years under Burdick, Tampa has advanced to four NCAA tournaments including three NCAA Semifinals (2014, 2016, 2017).  Tampa has been ranked in the NCAA top 10 in four of Burdick’s five seasons, including a program high #4 ranking in 2016.  Tampa has won the Sunshine State Conference Championship in each of the four years the conference has sponsored lacrosse, including a perfect 20-0 record in conference play since 2014.  Tampa has also won all four SSC Conference Tournament Championships under Burdick, who’s defensive unit has ranked #1 in scoring defense in conference play in each season in the SSC.  Burdick has developed Mary Heyn into a three-time All-American defenseman, coached seven SSC 1st Team All-Conference defensive players and coached a total of 18 All Conference defensive selections. 

 

In 2016, Burdick was named the Nike/IMLCA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year.

 

Prior to coming to Tampa, Burdick led the Providence College men’s lacrosse program for 14 seasons including stints in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Big East Conference.

 

In 11 seasons in the MAAC, Burdick led the Friars to nine consecutive conference playoffs, including seven conference championships and three Division I NCAA tournament berths.   Burdick coached five MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award winners, three of which went to Providence College Hall of Fame inductee Brian O’Rorke.  Burdick was responsible for recruiting and coaching 33 all MAAC selections as well Providence College’s first two All-Americans, Mike Farley and Ben Johnston.  Providence College placed 21 players on the MAAC All-Tournament Team under Burdick’s tenure, including three players named the MAAC Championship Tournament Outstanding Player.  Burdick’s goalies at Providence have combined for 7 of the league’s top 20 goalie performances of all time regarding goals against average.  Burdick’s face off specialist, under the guidance of Assistant Coach Jim Mascia, have had three of the top 20 seasons in MAAC history. 

 

Arguably the best offensive player ever recruited by Burdick and possibly to wear a Friar uniform, Junior College transfer Kyle Ojakian holds the #4 and #5 spot on the MAAC single season assist record book as well as holding the #2 and #3 spots in single season assists per game, of which in the 2001 season, Kyle led the nation in assists tied with Syracuse’s Ryan Powell at 42. 

 

Burdick’s teams were 3-0 in MAAC Championship Games.  In 2008, the Friars won their fourth MAAC Regular Season Championship and Burdick was named the Anaconda/MAAC Coach of the Year. 

 

Prior to his position at Providence College, Burdick worked his way up the coaching ladder with positions at Cornell, Umass, Delaware and Notre Dame. 

 

Born in Cortland (NY), Burdick was a midfielder until his junior year of high school, when he switched to his natural position of goaltender where he was a 1st team section III selection as a senior.  Burdick was a recruited walk-on at the University of Delaware and worked his way into the starting rotation as a sophomore.  As a senior, Burdick posted 237 saves for the Blue Hens, ranking him in the top 10 in single season saves.  Burdick highlighted his career with his out of the goal ability to push transition as a goalie, scoring two goals and assisting on two others.  Burdick returned to Delaware after two seasons with Notre Dame to attend graduate school.  Burdick graduated with an MA in Physical Education, Health and Recreation from the University of Delaware with a 4.0 GPA.  His master’s thesis was a study on the effects of internal perspective imagery on lacrosse goalie performance.

"Coaching is the ability to open a door for an athlete to become better than he or she could become on their own.  Help them grow, allow them to make mistakes, teach them.  That's our job as coaches.  Control is an illusion that all too often is mistaken for coaching.  When players fully understand what is best for the team and are fully committed to that goal, then you have succeeded at a coach."

-Chris Burdick 

 


 

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