SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The man who started the CSUSB cross country program, started it again, is calling it a career after 29 years at the helm as the only cross country head coach CSUSB has ever had. Head coach Tom Burleson has announced he will retire at the end of the 2019 track and field season.
Coach Burleson launched the cross country program at CSUSB in 1984 and led the squad until it was dissolved following the 1990 season as the athletic program moved from NCAA Division III to II. In the interim he was the head track and field coach at Chaffey College from 1990 to 1998, where they won the conference championship in 1993. When the university decided to relaunch the program again in 1997, coach Burleson took the reins again and has led the squad ever since. He also launched the track and field program at CSUSB in 2014.
In his 29 years, he has led the Coyotes to 19 Team Academic Awards, along with multiple All-Americans, All-West Region selections, All-CCAA honorees, and 2016 All-American and West Region and CCAA Runner of the Year, Laura Aceves, who became just the third dual All-American and Academic All-American in school history. He coached two Academic All-Americans in Aceves and Andrea Brandt. His 2015 team took ninth at the West Region Championships, and this past year they placed 12th at the West Region Championships and fourth in the CCAA, with Kaylie Balvaneda taking All-Conference. He placed All-CCAA runners in four of the last five seasons
All totaled, coach Burleson has over 43 years of coaching experience ranging from high school, junior college, to NCAA Division II and III.
Coach Burleson is an invaluable member of Inland Empire community as well. He has fostered a close relationship with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and hosted local fun runs, color runs, and even a dog walk with the CSUSB Police Department.
He has had an impact in the classroom as well, as he has taught graduate and undergraduate kinesiology courses at CSUSB since 1984.
His most lasting legacy at CSUSB may be the course the student-athletes run on. He founded the CSUSB Cross Country Course, host to the 2014 and 2018 CCAA Championships and annual Coyote Challenge, with the help of the San Bernardino County Parks and Recreation Department.
Coach Burleson's impact on CSUSB student-athlete lives will not stop though, as he will continue to teach in the kinesiology department at Cal State San Bernardino.
The CSUSB Campus and surrounding community will have the opportunity to celebrate with Tom at an upcoming retirement party. Details to be released on CSUSB Social Media channels.
