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| University of Rochester athletics photo |
Athletic director Jeff Burns has announced the hiring of Lindsey Burke as head women's basketball coach at Randolph-Macon.
Burke replaces Carroll LaHaye, who retired earlier this offseason after 38 years and 647 career victories.
"I am honored to be named the head coach of women's basketball at Randolph-Macon," Burke said. "I would like to thank President [Robert] Lindgren, Jeff Burns and the entire athletic department for entrusting me with leading this program. This is an exciting time to be a Yellow Jacket, especially coming off an ODAC championship in 2020. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to succeed a legendary coach like Carroll LaHaye and am excited to build relationships with the alumni that love this program. I would also like to thank every coaching staff of which I have been blessed to be a part. I would not be in this position without them and will forever be grateful for their efforts on my behalf."
During her seven-year career, Burke has helped three teams reach the NCAA Tournament.
"Lindsey was impressive from the very beginning," said Burns. "She has an appreciation for Coach LaHaye's legacy, an understanding of the college and our mission, a proven record of recruiting and team success. She is a terrific fit for Randolph-Macon, our athletic department and our student-athletes. I am thrilled that she will leading our program."
For the past three seasons, Burke was an assistant coach at the University of Rochester. The Yellowjackets went 24-5 during her first season, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and reaching the Elite Eight. UR had consecutive Rookies of the Year in the UAA in Julie Okoniewski (2019) and Hannah Lindemuth (2020). Burke worked with seven All-UAA players and one D3hoops.com All-American.
While at UR, Burke coordinated all recruiting efforts, participated in practice planning, ran on-court skill development sessions with both interior and perimeter players, oversaw scouting of opponents, ran all social media accounts, and assisted the athletic department as assistant director of game management.
This past fall, Burke was a co-instructor for a 300-level class at UR called The Leadership Experience. The course examined leadership theories, both historical and contemporary. Burke oversaw a Leadership Lab with student-athletes from various sports.
During the 2016-17 academic year. Burke served as director of basketball operations at Bucknell. The Bison posted a record of 27-6, won the Patriot League tournament and earned a spot in the NCAA Division I Tournament. While at Bucknell, Burke handled all aspects of team travel, worked with NCAA compliance rule and regulations, assisted with scouting reports, managed social media accounts, oversaw equipment, and scheduled practices and shoot-around times.
Burke's first coaching experience came as an assistant at the Mary Washington. The Eagles improved in each of her three seasons in Fredericksburg. UMW went 18-8 during the 2013-14 campaign. The Eagles were 20-7 the following season and reached the title game of the Capital Athletic Conference tournament. During the 2015-16 season, UMW went 24-5, won the CAC Championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
While at UMW, Burke worked with five All-CAC players and one CAC Rookie of the Year.
A native of Lockport, New York, Burke earned a B.A. in strategic communications with a minor in marketing from Mercyhurst in May of 2013. She graduated summa cum laude. Burke was a four-year member of the women's basketball team, playing guard for the Division II Lakers.
In 2016, Burke received an M.B.A. from Mary Washington.
Burke succeeds LaHaye, who announced her retirement from R-MC in late March. LaHaye became head coach of the Yellow Jackets in 1982, compiling a record of 647-376 (.632) in 38 seasons. Her teams went 418-161 (.721) in ODAC contests. R-MC went 19-10 overall and 13-5 in ODAC play this past season, earning the program's 10th ODAC title and 12th NCAA Tournament appearance. LaHaye led the Yellow Jackets to a 78-68 upset over ninth-ranked Transylvania in the first round of the 2020 NCAA Tournament in Lexington, Kentucky.