Bio

Carl Burgess (90) transferred to Eastern Nazarene College in the fall of 1986 from the University of Southern Colorado where he also competed in cross country and track. He came to ENC with the urge to run the New England terrain.

During his time at ENC, Burgess ran cross country for three years and travelled to Wisconsin each year to compete in the National NAIA five-mile run against the top harriers in the country. As a senior, Burgess captured first-place in the NAIA District Championship meet.

After graduation, Burgess coached the ENC men’s cross country team for six seasons from 1990 to 1995 and started the women’s cross country program in 1992.

He has worked for YMCAs in Quincy, Massachusetts, Charlestown, Massachusetts and Pueblo, Colorado. Since 1999, Burgess has been teaching elementary physical education in the Widefield, Colorado School District, and coaching track (since 1999) and cross country (since 2006) at Mesa Ridge High School. He notes, “I have many students that I taught from kindergarten to sixth-grade and then coached them for four years in high school. It is very rewarding to be a part of a student’s first school experience and then help them as they prepare for college.”

Burgess was also selected as a Teacher of Influence by the Mesa Ridge High School senior classes of 2007, 2008, and 2014.

Currently in Manitou Springs, Colorado, Carl is not far from his parents, Stan and Anna, and his brother Mark, who also live in Colorado. He stays busy lifting weights, camping, fishing and kayaking.