Tree Burks was named Head Coach of the men’s basketball program at York College on Thursday morning. Burks is no stranger to the program after playing for the Panthers from 2009-12 and having been an assistant coach for four years, helping the team to three NAIA Division II National Tournament appearances. He has been the Associate Head Coach for the past two seasons.
Jared Stark, Vice President of Athletics and Enrollment, said “Tree is a York College Panther at heart and I am pleased to announce his appointment as head coach. As a graduate of YC and a former player, he knows what we value here. Tree is thoughtful, passionate and absolutely ready to take over this program that has gained national recognition.”
Coach Burks helped the Panthers to back to back 25-10 seasons and quarterfinal appearances at the NAIA Divison II National Touranment. This past season York won the KCAC Tournament Championship in their first year in the conference with an overtime win against Southwestern College 109-104.
“This is a dream come true, and I’m very grateful and blessed for this opportunity. I want to thank Jared Stark and President Eckman for believing in me in this process. I can’t express how excited I am to lead this program,” said Burks. “Becoming the head coach at my alma mater has been a longtime dream for me. I have tremendous amount of pride and love for this college. My goal is to continue building and competing on a national level.”
Burks is a 2012 graduate of York College and finished his Masters in Sports Administration in 2015 from NCAA Division I Northwestern St., where he was a graduate assistant. He is married to Jordeyn Burks; they have one daughter, and a boy on the way.
“Although I am sad to see Coach Delton Deal leave, there is no doubt in my mind that Coach Burks will make us proud for the type of program he will run. I believe both new and returning players will be drawn to his enthusiasm and his desire to love God by the way he coaches,” said Stark.
“I’m also very thankful for all that Coach Deal has done for me. He gave me my first coaching opportunity, and I wish him well at SAGU,” stated Burks.
Delton Deal is leaving York to become the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas.
