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Head Coach Sara Burton
Sara Burton begins her 14th season as head coach of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse soccer team in 2007. She is the second head coach in the brief history of the program, which was elevated to varsity status in 1992.
Burton, 38, has led the Eagles to a 120-91-17 (.564) record through 13 seasons at UW-L, including a 55-40-8 (.573) mark against Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opponents.
She
has instilled her fiery competitiveness and work ethic into the program. Burton's
system and leadership led the Eagles to a conference championship in 1996. In
her system, she emphasizes the importance of giving a consistent effort.
"My intention is to have a consistent effort every time we step on the field," Burton says. "I'm never pleased with a loss, but if we lose and have a consistent effort and achieve the goals we strive for every game, I will be pleased with the effort. Ultimately, that's going to take us where we want to go."
During Burton's 13-year tenure, her student-athletes have shared her intense desire to win while maintaining a high level of integrity. "I expect my teams to play with integrity and composure." Burton says. "What comes with that is the belief to never quit or give up, regardless of what we face and what is happening on the field."
Burton also relishes the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of the student-athletes who come through the program.
"As a coach, I have an investment in the team, not just as players, but also as individuals. Excellence in their personal growth both on and off the field is a part of what I want to instill in their lives. I believe a significant part of coaching is the impact the coach and athlete have on each other.
One philosophy she hopes to instill in those in the program is "staying green," which she describes as having the youthful invigoration for everything they do. "As a coach, that is something I would love to have the players find for themselves; that they 'stay green' in their approach on the field and in life," Burton said. "Ultimately, that builds self-confidence and the strength to be leaders in their own way."
Burton was named conference coach of year by her peers after leading the Eagles to their first-ever league championship in 1996.
UW-L is the first collegiate head coaching appointment for Burton, who served as an assistant at Oberlin College (Ohio) for one season. Among her major duties were recruiting, goalkeeper training and scouting. She also served as assistant women's basketball coach.
Other coaching experience includes a head coaching position at Edison High School in Tulsa, Okla., in 1993. Her team compiled a 6-4 record. Burton has also served as an assistant coach for two seasons at the University of Chicago. That same staff was named the Coaching Staff of the Year in 1992.
Burton completed her third season as the head coach of the U-13 girls team with the Black Diamonds Soccer Club in 2002. The team is a member of the Coulee Region Soccer Club affiliated with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. The U-13 team won its bracket at the USA Cup, scoring 19 goals while allowing only one.
Burton earned a Master of Science degree in sports administration from UW-L in 1996. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology/anthropology from Knox College (Ill.) in 1991. As a player, she was a four-time letter-winner and was team captain in both her junior and senior seasons. She also lettered four seasons in soccer and basketball during a stellar prep career. She received the Edison High School Athlete of the Year Award in 1987.
Burton also holds a National Diploma and an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). She obtained her Premier Diploma from the NSCAA in 2005 and currently serves on the Technical Advisory Committee for the Coulee Region United Soccer Association.
She is an NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist.
Burton's Head Coaching Career
| Year | School | Overall Record | WIAC Record |
| 1994 | UW-La Crosse | 13-5-0 | 4-3-0 |
| 1995 | UW-La Crosse | 12-6-0 | 5-3-0 |
| 1996 | UW-La Crosse | 13-5-1 | 6-1-1 |
| 1997 | UW-La Crosse | 10-5-2 | 5-3-0 |
| 1998 | UW-La Crosse | 7-8-2 | 5-2-1 |
| 1999 | UW-La Crosse | 12-6-0 | 6-2-0 |
| 2000 | UW-La Crosse | 3-12-2 | 2-6-0 |
| 2001 | UW-La Crosse | 6-7-3 | 4-3-1 |
| 2002 | UW-La Crosse | 6-12-0 | 3-5-0 |
| 2003 | UW-La Crosse | 9-6-1 | 5-2-1 |
| 2004 | UW-La Crosse | 11-7-1 | 4-4-0 |
| 2005 | UW-La Crosse | 9-7-2 | 3-3-2 |
| 2006 | UW-La Crosse | 9-5-3 | 3-3-2 |
| Total | 120-91-17 | 55-40-8 |
Assistant Coaches
Mike Jacobs is in his first season as an assistant coach for UW-La
Crosse. He currently serves as the La Crosse Aquinas High School Girls’
Soccer Coach, a position he has held since 2002. Jacobs has led the Blugolds
to Mississippi Valley Conference (MVC) Championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Aquinas has made three Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)
state tournament appearances (2003, 2005, 2007) under Jacobs. The Blugolds were
state runner-up in 2005 and Jacobs was named the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association
Coach of the Year in 2006.
He was the Aquinas Boys’ Soccer Coach from 2001-06, leading the Blugolds
to a MVC title in 2004 and a WIAA Division 3 state runner-up finish in 2002.
Jacobs was an assistant men’s soccer coach at Viterbo University from 1996-98.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1976 from Trinity International University
(Ill.) and served as captain of the 1974 NCCAA Championship team. Jacobs earned
his master’s degree from Northern Michigan University in 1978 and his Doctor
of Podiatric Medicine from the Rosiland Franklin University of Medicine and
Science, Dr, Wm. M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in 1982. Jacobs completed
his podiatric surgical residency at the University of Chicago Hospitals and
Clinics.
He currently serves as the section chair, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, department
of Orthopaedics, Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Western Clinical Campus,
University of Wisconsin Medical School.
Jacobs holds the NSCAA Premier Diploma and Goalkeeping 1 certification.
Kris Miller is in her first season as a student assistant coach for the Eagles. A native of Fitchburg, Miller was a four-year letter winner at UW-L. She scored 10 goals and added eight assists for 28 career points, ranking 15th in school history.
A 2006 team captain, Miller played in 70 career matches at UW-L with 64 starts. Miller, a graduate of Verona High School, is an education (math) major.
