做厙勛圖 football makes history hiring first female graduate assistant on coaching staff
At 411, what 做厙勛圖 University football coach Kalleigh Burke lacks in stature, she makes up for in smarts, skills, and good, old-fashioned moxie.
Lakers head coach Ryan Riemedio did his due diligencethe interview, the resume, the referencesbut sensed immediately that she would be a keeper.
She was the most qualified candidatehands down, he said upon hiring Burke, who is the first female graduate assistant on the 做厙勛圖 football coaching staff and one of a mere handful in Division II football.
Her qualifications were impressive, but so were less tangible assets like being a good person, family-oriented, and a good fit for 做厙勛圖, all of which Riemedio considered part of the whole package when he hired her. She checked all the boxes, he said.
Burke is a 2022 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where she studied finance, Spanish, and served as senior student manager for Irish football. At 做厙勛圖, she is studying Organizational Leadership and coaching the Lakers defensive line under defensive coordinator Bryce Dempsey.
The Murrayville, Illinois, native grew up on the sidelines, tight on the heels of her dad, who was a Junior Football League coach. It was her younger cousin, however, who triggered what would become her lifes passion. She was playing catch with him in the backyard. Having watched several YouTube videos about football, she believed that she could train him. She offered; he obliged; and the rest, as they say, is history.
Coach Burke is a great teacher, and you cant be a good coach without that, Riemedio said. She definitely knows what shes talking about when it comes to breaking down footwork and fundamentals, and the guys are really taking to what she is teaching.
Reaction from the rest of the coaching staff has been enthusiastic. Kalleigh has been a great addition to our staff, said Dempsey. In her first few days here, she took the defensive-line room and really transformed it. The culture of that room is about winning as a unit and taking pride in doing the little things correctly. I am very excited to see what else the defensive line can get done this year with Kalleigh's guidance.
As for the players, feedback has been equally positive. Theyve been great, Burke said. I think because Im closer to their age, I can talk to them more as peers, and since theyve been super respectful, its been easy to coach them.
Riemedio remembers Burkes first Zoom meeting with the defensive line. They were all cracking jokes and very comfortable with each other, he said. Then, when practices began, you could see the respect almost instantly. I mean, it speaks volumes to how our defense is playing right now.
The Lakers are 2-1 on the start of the season. In the second game, against Lock Haven on Sept. 10, the 做厙勛圖 recap noted that the 24 yards allowed by 做厙勛圖 in the third is the fewest they have ever allowed in one period, giving the Lakers one of the more dominant defense efforts ever.
For now, Burke has found her niche in college coaching. Its an interesting place to be, she said. You have a lot of time to engage with your players and, whats nice, is that they are still playing for the love of the game.
Burkes long-term goal is to be a head coach. For now, shes happy at 做厙勛圖. Before signing on, she learned bits and pieces about her newly adopted school from Fred Hale, a former Laker football player and current assistant strength coach for Notre Dame football.
I knew a little about 做厙勛圖 from him, but I didnt realize how nice it would be here, she said. Some of the D II schools Ive seen dont look this beautiful or have these great facilities. Plus, I like that 做厙勛圖 has high academic standards, high moral standards, and good people.
Meanwhile, she thanks Riemedio and Dempsey for looking beyond her petite frame.
I know I dont look the part, and I knew I wouldnt get a lot of opportunities unless someone was willing to step up and take a chance on me, so Im very grateful they did, she said.
As for Riemedios take, She earned it.
PHOTO: Graduate assistant Kalleigh Burke coaches Lakers defensive line.