BY SCOTT NICKERSON
SPORTS – ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Zach Burdette was recently named the Athletic Director at New Life Christian Academy located on Highway 14 in Millbrook, Alabama. Burdette, a 2008 graduate of New Life, stressed the importance of each student athlete taking ownership and taking pride in the activities and their school. He believes that is key to the students finding success on not just the playing field, but also in academics.
Burdette himself knows New Life well, playing quarterback for the Eagles during his time at the school. He comes to New Life after several years as an assistant football and basketball coach at Stanhope Elmore High School. The decision was not taken lightly.
“This decision was made after careful consideration with my wife and a lot of prayer. New Life has a great principal in Ira Collier who has been very supportive. I believe this is the right time.”
Burdette is passionate about leading the student athletes and encouraging them to succeed on the field and in the classroom. He credits his parents for the example they set in his life displaying qualities of leadership, encouragement, and passion. He hopes to provide those same qualities to the students at New Life.
“I had the two best parents a guy could hope for. They taught me what it meant to be a leader. They were great examples.”
New Life competes in Division 2 of the Alabama Christian Athletic Association (ACAA). The football team competes in 8-man football. With approximately 220 students from K-12, competing in 8-man football is much more reasonable just from a numbers perspective.
The school is also competitive in girls and boys basketball, baseball, and softball. Burdette is actually coaching the girls softball team this spring. Former softball coach Sharon Wilkes has agreed to provide her expertise in the dugout while Burdette leads the team. He has high hopes for all the sports programs.
He has one saying that he wants the New Life students to incorporate into their training regimen. That saying has been displayed in different places throughout the school. “No excuses, just work.” It’s simple enough.
If the New Life student athletes buy into the motto, Burdette is confident that they will be successful and compete at a championship level in the ACAA. Good luck AD Burdette!
