Kacey Burke Hired as Green Bay Head Women's Soccer Coach

GREEN BAY, Wis. – A former member of the United States National Team and NCAA All-American, Kacey Burke has been hired as the next head women’s soccer coach at Green Bay, Director of Athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie announced on Friday. Burke will step into the role immediately and lead the Phoenix into the upcoming 2014 season. A full national search will be conducted at the conclusion of the season.

“Kacey is the right coach to lead our program and our young women,” Gillespie said. “She played at the highest levels both collegiately and professionally, and her coaching experience will serve her well as she leads and teaches our student-athletes. Her competitive spirit is contagious and she will win the right way. She is an excellent fit and an outstanding role model, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Phoenix family.”

For the past two years, Burke has served as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma, where she played a key role in the Sooners’ individual and group player development, recruiting efforts, team travel, community involvement and academics. She has also worked as an assistant coach at both Texas Tech University and Southern Methodist University.

“I would like to thank Director of Athletics, Mary Ellen Gillespie for the opportunity to lead the Green Bay women’s soccer program,” Burke said. “I am extremely honored and humbled to be afforded this wonderful opportunity and am excited to get to work and be a part of the Phoenix family. I look forward to arriving on campus and starting our quest for a successful season both in the classroom and on the field.”

Burke has an outstanding background as a standpoint player, including her college career at the University of North Carolina from 2002-05. During her time as a Tar Heel, Burke was a three-time all-conference performer, a two-time All-American (2004 and 2005) and a member of the 2003 NCAA national championship team.

After graduating in 2006, Burke played professionally in the United States and overseas and was a member of the U.S. National Team from 2006-10.

At Green Bay, Burke will take the reins of a program which is welcoming back 18 players for the 2014 season, including senior Hannah Kernen (Belleville, Wis.), a First-Team All-Horizon League selection in 2013.

**Release courtesy of Green Bay Athletic Communications.