|
In 10 seasons as Head Coach of the Providence College lacrosse team, Chris Burdick has led the Friars to an unprecedented eight-consecutive MAAC Tournament appearances (2001 - 2008). Providence has captured four Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Regular-Season titles (2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008). The Friars also have claimed the MAAC Tournament championship crown in three of the last five seasons (2004, 2006 and 2007) and advanced to the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Tournament during each of those campaigns. Burdick has compiled an overall record of 74-86. In MAAC action, the Friars have posted a 54-27 mark. The Friars posted their best league finishes in 2003, 2005 and 2008 with identical MAAC records of 7-1. In 2006, Burdick guided the Friars to a program-best 10 wins overall (10-7), tying them with PC's 1985 squad which also finished with 10 victories (10-2). At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Burdick was named Anaconda Sports/MAAC Coach of the Year for leading the Friars to their fourth regular-season league title in the last six years. Burdick, who has built a championship program predicated on defense, has guided the Friars to a top-10 ranking in scoring defense among all NCAA Division I men's lacrosse programs in four of the last six seasons. The Friars achieved their highest ranking (No. 2) in 2008, after allowing just 6.47 goals per game. Burdick also is credited with the recruitment and development of the first players at Providence College to be selected to the All-MAAC First and Second Teams since joining the conference in 1996. In all, Burdick has had 20 players earn All-Conference honors a total of 30 times, including Brian O'Rorke, who finished his eligibility in 2004 as the program's most decorated player. O'Rorke is a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team selection (2002, 2003 & 2004). O'Rorke also earned MAAC Rookie of the Year honors under Burdick's guidance, in 2001. James Courter '07 and Ben Johnston '08 also earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. A Friar has earned the honor in five of the last seven seasons. In January of 2005, O'Rorke became the first lacrosse player from Providence to get drafted by Major League Lacrosse. The New Jersey Pride took O'Rorke in the 13th round (73rd overall) of the supplemental draft held in Philadelphia, Pa. In January of 2008, former Friar goalkeeper Peter Littell ('07) was added to the Long Island Lizard's 35-man roster and was invited to training camp. Burdick also helped to develop the program's first-ever All-America selections in Michael Farley and Ben Johnston. Both players earned USILA Honorable Mention All-America accolades in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Burdick came to Providence with an impressive resume, having earned valuable experience with some of the top teams in collegiate lacrosse. A 1991 graduate from the University of Delaware, he was one of the top goalkeepers to ever play for the Blue Hens. Upon graduation from Delaware, Burdick quickly got into coaching and began to establish himself as one of the best young evaluators of talent in collegiate lacrosse. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Notre Dame in 1992. He helped guide the Fighting Irish to two-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. After two years at Notre Dame, Burdick returned to Delaware to serve as the defensive coordinator for the 15th-ranked Blue Hens in 1994. In 1995, he was named the offensive coordinator. While at Delaware, Burdick earned his master's degree in health, physical education and recreation. He continued to work with top programs when he became an assistant coach for the 12th-ranked UMass Minutemen in 1996. At UMass, Burdick coached the team's goalies and worked with the defense. The following year, he went to Cornell to become the assistant head coach. He spent one season with the Big Red under coaching legend Richie Moran before coming to Providence. In addition to his work as a coach in the collegiate ranks, Burdick is very involved with lacrosse at all levels, having made many speaking appearances at various clinics. He also served as the president of the MAAC Lacrosse Coaches' Association in 2003, and has been a member of the regional advisory committee for NCAA tournament selection. In 2003, Burdick was selected to coach in the Division I Men's Lacrosse North/South All-Star game. Burdick is the director and owner of the Friar Lacrosse Camp network which runs camps and clinics nationwide. The Friar Elite Camp, held at Providence College, is the leading venue for future Friar lacrosse student athletes, with over 75 percent of the current roster having attended. The network includes the PLASMA local HS Club organization, an underclass venue, the Future Chip Showcase, as well as teaching camps and clinics in Providence, R.I., Buffalo, N.Y. and Portland, Ore. Go to www.friarlacrossecamps.com for more information. A native of Cortland, N.Y., he is the son of Angela and Frank Burdick.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
