STANDISH, Maine – Chief Athletics & Recreation Officer Will Rothermel is pleased to announce that Mike Burleson has been elevated to the newly created position of Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Saint Joseph's College.
Burleson joined the SJC coaching staff as an assistant this past February and spearheaded a recruiting effort that yielded the largest freshman class in program history. In his short time as a member of the track & field staff, he helped the men's indoor and outdoor teams claim 2023 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championships, the first titles in program history.
In his new full-time role, Burleson will oversee all aspects of the cross country and indoor and outdoor track & field programs.
"This is exciting news for the cross country and track & field programs," adds Rothermel. "I believe Coach Burleson can help take us to the next level and realize the massive potential within these storied programs."
The cross country and track & field coaching staff will continue in their current roles and Tom Dann, who has been at Saint Joseph's for over 25 years, will remain as the head coach of the Monks' men's and women's cross country programs. Dann will also continue to work with the track & field distance runners during the winter and spring seasons.
"The creation of this new position will allow Coach Dann to shift his focus to his passion of cross country and the distance events of track & field," Rothermel continues. "I am incredibly grateful for Tom's leadership of the programs over the past six years and know that he is excited about this opportunity to continue to move them forward."
Burleson has coached a variety of levels, including as the track & field and cross country clipboard carrier at Bonny Eagle High School for the last seven and five years, respectively. While at Bonny Eagle, he guided the Scots to four girls cross country state championships and coached multiple individual state champions, school record holders, and New England and National qualifiers.
Burleson also earned five US Track & Field and Cross Country Association Coach of the Year honors and a pair of Southern Maine Athletic Association Coach of the Year awards.
"This is truly a dream come true," adds Burleson. "I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track and Field programs at Saint Joseph's College.
"Saint Joseph's has made a significant investment in these teams and with the amazing facilities we are looking to be an ideal destination for cross country and track and field athletes."
"I would like to thank Will Rothermel for his continued support and belief in myself as both a coach and leader."
Burleson graduated in 2003 from Deering High School where he was a member of state championship teams in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field. He held the SMAA record in the 800m with a 1:56.00 time and ran a leg for an All-American 4x800m team that set the New England record and was a National Runner-up at Nike Nationals.
He continued his running career at Keene State College where he earned All-American honors as a member of the Distance Medley Relay while running stints for three school-record relay teams.
Burleson graduated from Keene State in 2007 with a B.S. in Physical Education. He currently resides in Gorham with his wife Melissa and three children, Madison, Makenna, and Myles.
