Charlie Burch has been the University of New England head men's lacrosse coach for eight seasons. The Exeter, N.H. native has degrees from Colby College, where he played four years of lacrosse, and the University of Southern Maine.
What memorable moment(s) at UNE do you recall most often?
My most memorable moments occurred during the 2012-13 year. In June, Coach Hunt decided to accept another position and I immediately declared my intention to apply for the job. Probably one of the bigger moments in my professional life was getting hired to replace him. The summer was a whirlwind of recruiting showcases as I worked to build my first class. Fall was an exciting time that flew by, and we continued with the annual Lax-4-Life Fall Invitational to benefit the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. About 10 days before our regular-season opener in the Spring, my mom passed away. My assistants took over for a few days and I was able to get back for the game. In an emotional moment before the game, I noticed in the locker room that the captains had put her initials (MB) on the back of all the helmets. That scrappy bunch beat Wheaton, 9-8, that day, the first of six one-goal wins. In games decided by less than four goals that season, we were 10-0. That included two signature victories -- a 10-9 win over Endicott (the first in 19 years, and just three days after a shellacking at the hands of WNEU), and a 7-6 win over Colby (the program's first over a NESCAC opponent). That team went 14-5 and won the ECAC New England Championship. Great student-athletes, a hard-working coaching staff, and a fun bunch of guys to coach.
What factor(s) made you most want to work at UNE?
The factors that most made me want work at UNE developed over time. I had known Coach Hunt and worked with him at a number of lacrosse camps, including the summer of 2008. That fall I asked if I could come to some practices to observe and offer any help he might want. The following spring Coach Hunt asked me to come work with the 2009 team until I had to leave to start my season at Kennebunk High School. At the end of our respective seasons, Coach Hunt asked me to join his staff as the top assistant. This was an opportunity to get my foot back in the door of college coaching, something I thought wouldn't ever present itself at this stage of my career and I jumped at the opportunity.
What do you enjoy most about UNE? I enjoy the coaching and administrative staffs in the Athletics Department. Everyone is exceptionally professional in the way they do their jobs, but there is also -- and maybe more importantly -- a collegiality and closeness within the department that seems somewhat rare to me. The other aspect about UNE that I love is the opportunity I have had to coach some incredible student-athletes who have performed extremely well in the classroom and on the field.
What is your favorite physical location on UNE's Biddeford campus?
My favorite physical location on campus is where I come to work everyday….the Alfond Forum and our Blue Bolt Field and Blue Storm Stadium. Our facilities are top-notch and first-class in every way. It gives me a lot of pride to come to work in our own little athletic world every day.
What do you hope the UNE student-athletes learn from their interactions with you?
I hope that the student-athletes I coach or have gotten to know realize the old adage 'to thine own self be true.' To me, that means be yourself, and always treat others with respect. Respect isn't something one should have to earn from you, it should be given. I also hope they realize the value of always doing the little things right and the importance of paying attention to detail; in athletics, friendships, relationships, and in what job they choose to pursue in life.
What is the best professional advice you have received; something that you try to apply to each and every day?
The best professional advice I ever received was, 'Do everything you do professionally. Treat the people who work with you with respect and kindness. Do everything with integrity.'
Who has been a mentor(s) related to the profession?
I have had many mentors in my life. Most of them have been coaches I worked under or with and administrators I have worked for. Probably the biggest mentor was my father. He was a high school coach who could (and did) coach most anything -- football, basketball, baseball, and later lacrosse. He was an Athletic Director as well, and also taught Phys. Ed. and U.S. History. He conducted himself in an extremely professional manner. He did everything with the utmost integrity. At a fairly young age, I decided I wanted to be a coach and a teacher when I grew up. I have tried to emulate my dad in my own professional life... as he told me on more than one occasion, "to teach is to coach, and to coach is to teach."
Catch up on previous spotlights:
Ed Silva, men's basketball
Danielle Collins, field hockey
Curt Smyth, associate director of athletics
Ashley Potvin-Fulford, women's rugby
Kasey Keenan '02, men's golf
Lyndie Kelley '11, strength & conditioning
David Venditti, women's ice hockey
Carly Gettler, women's soccer
Tristan Durgin '07, sports information
Sue Estabrook, women's lacrosse
Rick Hayes, women's swimming
Patty Williams, assistant director of athletics
Peter Ostergaard, men's soccer
Emily Zoltko '17, athletic trainer
