Jon Burke Named Girls Water Polo NorCal Coach of the Year

 

With more than a decade of unprecedented success, Sacred Heart Prep coach Jon Burke was named the 2016-17 Northern California Girls Water Polo Coach of the Year by the California Coaches Association (CCA).

 

​"Jon being honored by the CCA as the Northern California Coach of the Year is incredibly well deserved,” said Frank Rodriguez, SHP assistant principal-athletics. “It has gotten to the point that every time his girls’ team jumps into the water for a Central Coast Section (CCS) championship game, a little more history is created. Their run of 10 consecutive CCS championships is unparalleled in any section in the state.

 

“When you couple that [success] with life long friendships that are created in the program, it simply doesn't get any better. I couldn't be prouder that the CCA has acknowledged Jon and our SHP girls’ water polo program in this way."

 

Burke, who has been coaching at SHP since 2006, has guided the Gators to eight West Catholic Athletic League titles and 10 consecutive CCS Division II championships.

 

During that span, he’s coached 15 NISCA/Speedo Girls’ Water Polo All-Americans, nine CCS Division II players of the year, five CCS players of the year and a CCS Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Additionally, the 2016 team earned the CCS Girls’ Water Polo Scholastic Team Award.

 

Over 11 seasons, 20 student-athletes have gone to play collegiate water polo and four helped their respective teams capture NCAA national championships. At the national level, Burke coached five players who went on to play for the U.S. National Team at the senior, youth or cadet level, including Rio Olympic gold medalist KK Clark (SHP ’08).

 

Burke, who was the 2015-16 CCS Girls Water Polo Honor Coach of the Year, is also nominated for California state coach of the year, which will be announced on June 17.