University of Houston Athletics
Track and Field Head Coach Leroy Burrell Signs Contract Extension
8/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Aug. 3, 2010
HOUSTON - University of Houston Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades announced today that head track and field coach Leroy Burrell has signed a three-year contract extension which keeps him leading the Cougars through 2013. Burrell's new contract gives his an incentive package which rewards the competitive success he has proved at UH as well as the program's academic accomplishments.
"We are thrilled to reward Coach Burrell with a new contract and provide him the level of commitment he deserves," Rhoades said. "Coach Burrell has been a terrific representative of UH Athletics as both a student-athlete and coach and has achieved great success leading our track and field programs. He is committed to our student-athletes both on and off the track and exemplifies our belief in Building Champions for Life. His passion for this University is evident in the way he guides his teams."
Burrell, the longest tenured head coach at the University of Houston, has maintained the high levels of success that he himself helped establish as a Cougar sprinter in the 1980s. The UH alumnus, Burrell was a 10-time All-American as a Houston sprinter and jumper from 1986-1990 before having a prolific career as professional. Burrell set multiple world-records as an individual in the 100-meter (9.90, 9.85) and as a member of the 4x100- and 4x200-meter relay teams. Burrell teamed with longtime friend and teammate Carl Lewis to win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics en route to setting the world record in the event.
"I'm thrilled we could come to an agreement that will keep my coaching staff and I around at the University of Houston for years to come," Burrell said. "It was a great process working with the Senior Athletic Staff and it goes to show you that this administration recognizes and rewards hard work and success, just like our coaching staff. We had a great season with the men sweeping the conference championships and although our women didn't reach all of their goals, they still had a great year. And we return almost all of our student-athletes next year."
Burrell's Cougars swept the men's indoor and outdoor Conference USA championships for a second straight year in 2010. It was the fourth consecutive year that the Cougar men have won the indoor meet.
Dominating the conference championships is nothing new for Burrell. Under his guidance, the Cougars have claimed 22 indoor and outdoor conference championships since he inherited the reins to the program in 1999 from his mentor, coach and friend Tom Tellez. Since taking over, Burrell has claimed 18 C-USA Coach of the Year titles.
During his time as head coach, Burrell has helped guide nine student-athletes to C-USA Athlete of the Year honors and he has coached 15 C-USA Freshman of the Year. Athletes in 40 different events have earned NCAA All-American distinction as the Cougars remain well represented at the national level.
The success of the program that Burrell has crafted doesn't end on the field but carries over to the classroom and community as well. 17 student-athletes have earned C-USA Academic Medals and 210 student-athletes have graded out to the C-USA Academic Honor Roll.
