The INTRODUCING ... feature steps into the coaching ranks this week as we higlight Stevenson University's new assistant field hockey coach Shannon Burke, a former NCAA Division I All-American at the University of Notre Dame.

What is your background in the sport you play?  While attending a private school for the entirety of my grade-school education, my fall sport of choice was field hockey. I started playing in the sixth grade, and enjoyed it so much that I choose to continue playing during high school. As a freshman I was the starting goalie position on the Varsity squad where I remained for all four years. My sophomore year, 2002, our team was co-champions with St. Paul's School for Girls. I was named to the IAAM All-Tournament team that year. In 2003 I was named an All-State Honorably Mention, and in 2004, my senior year, I served as one of our team captains and helped our team win another championship. Through my middle school and early high school years I also participated in the Future's Field Hockey Program, as well as played a year of indoor field hockey.

During the spring semester I played lacrosse. Starting in the fourth grade I immediately became hooked. I joined the Skywalkers Club Lacrosse Team the summer before my freshman year of high school, played junior varsity my freshman year, and varsity my sophomore, junior and senior years. In 2004 and 2005 I won the team MVP award as well as the team's defensive awards. In 2005 I also won our school outstanding performance in lacrosse award In 2004 and 2005 I was an all-metro and all-state selection, as well as the Baltimore Messenger's player of the year both years. I also participated in the U.S. Lacrosse Association's 2004 National Championship Tournament as a member of the Mid-Atlantic 1 team, defeating the New York 1 squad for the Championship Cup. After high school I attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where I continued my lacrosse career. There I participated in a final four in 2006, and two other NCAA tournaments in 2008 and 2009. In 2008 I was name the Big East defender of the week for the week of April 19th, was named to the All Big East Second Team and the IWLCA West/Midwest Region second team. In 2009 I was a first team pre-season All-Big East selection, served as a team co-captain, helped our team win the program's first Big East Championship, was name to the Big East Tournament Team, was selected to be on the All-Big East First Team, the IWLCA West/Midwest Region First Team, and was Notre Dame's first defensive IWLCA First Team All-American. I also was selected for and participated in the Senior All-Star Game, and was also a Big East Academic All-Star.

What is your favorite spot on campus?    My favorite spot on campus is the quad outside of Knott Hall. The benches and tables provide a serene and calming atmosphere to do work, read a good book, or simply people watch while waiting for classes to start.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I am an intern at my dentists office where I watch basic procedures being performed, help file paperwork, and clean/administer dental tools.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  Getting a job after graduation -- the economy is facing very serious issues that are causing major corporations that usually provide significant numbers of jobs for recent graduated to shut down or seriously decrease those opportunities. Along with the decrease in job opportunities is the declines in salaries for those who are actually acquiring jobs.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   I was a pre-professional and Sociology double major, and the most important discipline I learned was time management. Juggling a demanding academic schedule and a grueling athletic career was extremely difficult, but by creating time charts and using my planner to delegate time slots for alloted assignments I was able to balance my workouts, classes and social life throughout my four years.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   The most influential person in my life, besides my family members, would have to be a coach that has pushed me throughout all of my athletic endeavors, has encouraged me to follow my instincts and passions academically, and has taught my the meaning of integrity and perseverance. He was my recreational-league coach when I was in elementary and middle school, my mentor when I entered high-school with his two daughters who are a year younger than me but played both basketball and lacrosse with me for many years, as well as remained one of my most avid supporters during my collegiate career: Mr. Phil Kelly.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?   One piece of advice that I can give to elementary school children can be summed up in an anonymous quote: "Be who you are and say what you think because the people who care don't matter and the people who matter don't care."

What is your favorite form of entertainment?   My favorite form of entertainment is music. I love listening to music because no matter what mood I am in, or how I feel, there is always some song, or verse, or lyrics, or genre of music that is exactly what I need to hear.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  My favorite sports team, besides the Stevenson Mustangs, is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Team. Growing up as an Irish Catholic with a huge Irish Catholic influence from my father's side of the family, Notre Dame was always talked about. When I was deciding where to attend college my father made sure I made my decision for myself and would not let any of his brother's near me during my decision making process, but once I signed with the Irish it was a dream come true for my family. When I got there I immediately felt right at home, and every saturday during the fall I witnessed something truly special. 85,000 people with one thing in common: the Irish. And let's be honest: Who doesn't like the movie "Rudy"?

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    Three people that I would like to have dinner with are: My grandfather, because he is one of the most intelligent men I've ever known and I would love the opportunity to see him again (he passed away six years ago); J.D. Salinger, because I'm very curious about how he came up with his character Holden Caulfield and think it would be very cool to eat with the author of one of America's greatest and most popular novels; and probably Brad Pitt, because he's absolutely beautiful.