ATTITUDE

Our ATTITUDE and how we react and approach a situation is always within our control. This is something we talk about a lot with our players. Not just in basketball but in life there are so many things outside of our control. However, controlling our ATTITUDE and how we choose to react to a situation is within our control and something that can set you up for success on and off the court.

LEAVE YOUR MARK

On every team each player has a role, and every role is a key piece in a team’s overall success. No matter how big or small that role is it is important. Be GREAT in your role. Take each day as an opportunity build and thrive in that role, so that when those four years come to an end you left your mark on the program. This mentality and approach doesn’t just apply to basketball. We want our players to Leave Their Mark in life.

COMMITMENT

Commit to the process. To achieve a goal a player must be committed to the process. This means putting in the time and effort to reach a goal. Success doesn’t happen overnight. Success is the culmination of days, weeks, even years of hard work and commitment. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your goals? The commitment to the process is what separates the good from the great.

COACHING STAFF

Courtney Burns

Founder/Director

Bio

Founder/Director- Burns Elite, Official Training Partner of CT Swarm

Courtney Burns is a highly accomplished collegiate coach and the Director of Burns Elite. She is currently entering her third season as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Post University (NCAA Division II), where she has already guided the program to a CACC Regular Season Championship and developed multiple All-Conference standouts.

Prior to Post, Burns spent six seasons building a championship culture at Mitchell College (NCAA Division III), leading the program to back-to-back NECC Tournament titles—the first in school history—and two NCAA Tournament appearances. She was twice named NECC Coach of the Year and remains the program’s all-time wins leader with 76 victories. Her leadership has produced numerous individual honors including Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookies of the Year, and multiple All-Conference and All-Region selections.

A native of Rockland, Massachusetts, Burns has coached at every level of NCAA competition, with previous assistant roles at Southern New Hampshire, Southern Connecticut State, and Johnson & Wales. As a former standout player at Rhode Island College, she was a two-year captain and helped lead her team to a Little East Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Burns also brings expertise in strength and conditioning, holding a degree in mathematics and coaching from Rhode Island College and a master’s in sports management from Southern New Hampshire University.

At the core of Burns Elite is her proven ability to develop athletes, build winning teams, and foster a competitive, growth-minded environment.

ZACK PENN

Boys Director-Winsted/Hartford

Bio

Official Announcement: Burns Elite Welcomes Zack Penn as Boys Director

We are excited to announce Zack Penn as the Boys Director of Burns Elite Basketball.

Zack brings a wealth of experience to the program as the current Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Post University and a former professional player with JSA Bordeaux Métropole in France. A proud alumnus of Southern Connecticut State University, Zack played four years of collegiate basketball and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Management.

As Co-Founder of KP Travel Basketball, Zack has demonstrated a deep commitment to player development, mentorship, and creating opportunities for young athletes.

Burns Elite launches this fall with tryouts scheduled for the end of August in the Hartford area. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to elevate your game.

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Partners

BURNS ELITE (CT)