ITHACA, N.Y. – Todd Kennett, the Spirit of '57 Director of Rowing/Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing, has announced that David Burke will join the staff for the upcoming 2013-14 season. Having recently served as the head coach at St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Buffalo N.Y, Burke spent the four previous seasons as an assistant coach at Northeastern.

"David Burke brings a lot of league experience to the table," said Kennett. "He hails from West Side rowing club in Buffalo before a successful collegiate career at Northeastern University. Upon graduation, he joined the staff and helped that program rebuild from one of its lowest points to a fourth place finish at nationals last year.  As a former coxswain, he will be invaluable on our staff, as he can help develop another whole level of expertise with our athletes.  We look forward to having his work impact our athletes and program in a very positive way."

This past season at St. Joseph's Collegiate, Burke coached three crews to medals at the 2013 New York State Championships. 

With the Huskies, Burke helped the men's freshmen eight to a silver and bronze medal, respectively, at the 2012 Eastern Sprints and IRA National Championships. That same season, he helped the freshman four with coxswain to a gold medal at the Eastern Sprints. That came on the heels of winning a bronze medal as an assistant coach of the men's freshmen eight at the 2011 Eastern Sprints. Burke also had experience coaching the varsity and second varsity boats during his time at Northeastern, helping the second varsity eight to a sixth place finish at the 2010 Eastern Sprints after assisting with the varsity eight that took fourth place at the 2008 IRA National Regatta. As an assistant coach, he earned the team's 2008 Boathouse Award, for contribution and sacrifice to Northeastern rowing, as well as the 2009 Charlie Smith Award, for dedication to Northeastern rowing, it is the program's highest honor.

Additionally, Burke has coached a number of junior and senior summer crews, including three crews which have won Canadian Henley.

Burke rowed for the Huskies from 2003-07.  As a sophomore he coxed the second varsity eight to an undefeated dual race season before taking fourth place at Eastern Sprints and a sixth place at the IRA National Championship.

He graduated from Northeastern in 2008 with a major in history.