Field Hockey team acquires new coach
by Jason Hetchkopf
Picture this. You’re coming back to college early to get ready for another season of field hockey. You have everything packed and you’re just about ready to hit the road for another exciting season. Then you find out that your head coach will not be there when you return. You and the team are left coachless with the season to start in two weeks.
“Coming back, there were a lot of mixed emotions on the team about not having a coach,” said sophomore back Chryse Ciresi. “We were all anxiously awaiting the arrival of a coach and at the same time we were nervous finding out what she was going to be like."
One week into preseason for the Lady Marlins field hockey team, Michelle Burt received a call. “Would you be interested in the head coaching job at Virginia Wesleyan College,” said the voice on the phone.
“That is how it all started,” said new Marlin coach Michelle Burt. “After that phone call I sent in my resume and here I am.
” Burt, a field hockey and lacrosse star at Lockhaven University in Pennsylvania was working in Boyertown, PA at the time of the phone call. An All-American her junior year in lacrosse, Burt was working as the assistant field hockey coach at Boyertown High School.
“I was hesitant about coming down here, because I did not know anybody,” said Burt. “Everyone and everything I know are close to home.”
Burt arrived at Virginia Wesleyan and immediately started her coaching chores. It was important for her to get everything together, because the season was nearing.
“Coach Burt came to practice and she was more than we could ask for,” said Ciresi. “She’s very upbeat and she has a positive outlook.”
Burt does more for this Lady Marlin team than just give them a positive outlook. She also believes strongly in team unity on the field.
“I think team unity is important in any sport,” said Burt. “I’m looking for my seniors to provide the leadership so that we will reach our goals.”