My Name: Lee Burkhardt
Team: 18 Gold
Certifications:
Impact certified. GMS.
Coaching Experience:
I have coached at Maine Juniors in the past for 7 years (took a 1yr hiatus while traveling abroad), plus ran several introductory camps for younger ages: 16 silver, 15 gold (now 15national), 18 Regional, 18 gold, 16 national twice, and most recently 12 Navy as my daughter played last season. I was also the assistant coach at Bowdoin College in 2012 and 2013. Previously in Pennsylvania I was head JV and asst Varsity coach at a small private school. Additionally, I have been involved in several summer camps/clinics with an organization called Push the Rock, where I got my start in coaching. I am a firm believer in that with a great attitude, and a great effort, that good things will happen. I view success is not necessarily in wins and losses though, but in how the players grew not only just in their abilities, but in their roles as teammates and individuals through both the good times and in the struggles. Life lessons learned from team sports are just as important as the W/L record.
Playing Experience:
Played 1 season for Penn State- Lehigh Valley which was DIII. Played for several years in the burgeoning beach volleyball circuit in eastern PA during the early-mid 90’s.
Coaches Outlook:
I am looking forward to coaching 17/18 Gold this season. Taking high level and skilled players, molding them into a unified team, improving individual skills that contribute to overall team success, all the while having FUN playing this life-long sport.
Why I Love Coaching:
I love watching players strive to push themselves to get outside of their comfort zones, and to learn and achieve new skills and abilities. Watching players develop the mental toughness and fortitude, under pressure or in the face of challenges on the court, is also a thrill, as I know those character traits will only assist them later on as adults. Sports can be used to teach great life lessons, and to prepare these young women to impact the world around them.
My Day Job:
Independent rep for a reclaimed wood & lumber company.
Hometown:
Allentown, PA
Favorite Food:
hmm, depends on my mood. Seafood is high on the list, but my ideal meal would be a rack of well-smoked baby back ribs and king crab legs!
Other Info To Share:
Great effort + great attitude = great success! I am returning from a hiatus in coaching the 18/19 club season as my family and I took 14 months off from work and school to travel abroad, volunteering for two summers in Alaska and across 15 countries in Europe. It was a great learning experience, and volleyball is huge in many countries in Europe, especially Germany and across central Europe!
