Economics and personal finance teacher as well as current varsity boys basketball coach Don Burgess played basketball during his time at Harrisonburg High School and received a scholarship to play Division I basketball at Radford University. Growing up, Burgess always looked forward to being a Blue Streak. While a player for Harrisonburg High School, Burgess had many successes.

“I was fortunate to play with a lot of teammates as well as legendary coach Roger Bergey. During the years of 1986-1990, it was one of those things I played junior varsity my freshman year, then I played varsity my sophomore, junior and senior years. Going to Waterman Elementary School and Thomas Harrison Middle School, I had always looked forward to playing basketball at Harrisonburg High School and being in a Blue Streak uniform. With that being said, I had a sense of being a Blue Streak. I was fortunate enough my sophomore year [that] we were a decent team. My junior year we went to states. My senior year we ended up losing in the semifinals of the Valley District to the team that ended up winning states, which was Robert E. Lee. My time at Harrisonburg High School was great, I was involved with FBLA, SCA and baseball [as well],” Burgess said. 

After finishing Division l college basketball at Radford, Burgess coached at University of Central Florida, Coastal Carolina University, High Point University, Virginia Military Institute and Bridgewater College. After a few years of being head coach at Bridgewater College, there was an opening for an economics and personal finance teacher and a boys basketball coach at Harrisonburg High School. Burgess saw that as an opportunity for him since he had his degree in business management and had played basketball at the same school.

“My daughter was beginning her freshman year, [and] Bridgewater College separated our ways. My wife and I always said that wherever our first kid was going to begin her freshman year of high school, [I should coach]. If I ever got out of college coaching, we were just going to stay in that area and let her finish her high school career. I was at Bridgewater College for the seventh year as a head coach. We decided to part ways. Harrisonburg High School had an opening for [a teacher] but also [for] a boys basketball coach. Dr. Kizner reached out to me and it was basically one of those no brainers because I went to Harrisonburg High School and I’m from Harrisonburg,” Burgess said.

Being a college coach for years, Burgess’ career created barriers between him and his family. He wanted to be able to stay in an area where his first child, Kaley Burgess, could finish high school. College coaching is where Burgess missed some of his children growing up.

“I had been coaching college basketball for twenty years. It was just a blessing in disguise because I was leaving Bridgewater College. When I left, I had three other universities that wanted me to come coach [as] an assistant coach at the Division I level. As a college basketball coach, unfortunately it’s a lot of hours. It’s a lot of hard work and you spend a lot of time away from your family. [It would be] ten to fourteen hour days. For example, the month of July, it’s a huge recruiting month for Division l. For the month of July, I was gone for 31 days. The month of June [we were] usually doing basketball camps for three to four weeks. The Division l college coaching schedule is a brutal schedule. It’s taxing all families mentally and physically. I totally love the profession, but I also love my family,” Burgess said. “[Switching to HHS], gave me an opportunity to still be around in what I love to do, which is teaching and coaching. It also allows the opportunity to have a lot more quality time with my family.”

Growing up, Burgess had a twin sister, and he knew it was going to be hard for his parents to send both of them to college. He decided it was best for him to use academics and athletics to the best of his ability to get financial aid to pay for school. His first scholarship was in baseball, but then he stopped playing and focused more on basketball. Playing basketball during high school, college coaches started to pursue Burgess.

“I was born and raised on Kelly Street. My twin sister went to JMU and majored in fashion merchandise and design. Honestly, I just [played] sports and [loved] to have fun playing sports. All of a sudden at the end of my sophomore year, going into my junior year, I was pretty good. My first scholarship came in baseball. A university offered me a scholarship, and I told them I was only a sophomore and 15 years old. I got bored with baseball, [even though] baseball was my first love. After my sophomore year, I stopped playing baseball. Basketball was more up and down and fast pace. I got more involved with basketball than in baseball. My junior year, I had a lot of success. Going into my senior year, I was All-Region and got nominated for the Virginia High School All-State [team]. I went to a summer basketball camp up in Pennsylvania called Metro Index, which is a prestigious camp. Myself and several other Harrisonburg High School teammates went [to]. I ended up making it to one of the final all star games. At the all star game, all around the court was nothing but college coaches. I played pretty well in that.”

Being a coach for years, Burgess wants the best for his players and wants to see them succeed in the future. He also aspires to be a positive role model on and off the court.

“My favorite thing about coaching is developing [and] cultivating relationships with the student athletes as well as watching each individual grow individually, you’re providing so many life skills. I try to be a positive role model. I say that because they’re so impressionable at this age. All of them have a goal and dream to play in the NBA. I want them all to reach their goals, however, I want them to be the best student athlete they can be. First, the best student at Harrisonburg High, second be the best they can be in the community, and then the third I want them to be the best high school basketball player they can be. I pass that on to them because that’s what my dad told me. It was one of those things where [he said] go on and be the best in the world. He said Don, if you are the best high school kid that you could possibly be, if you keep working that’s going to put you somewhere on the top. The other thing he used to tell me is no matter how good you think you are, there’s always someone out there better than you. That was an inner drive for myself, to always work,” Burgess said. “I put in a lot of time putting in work while coaches weren’t looking. I think the success that I had was because there was a lot of times that coaches weren’t around and I was up at Simms School on the court. I would be in my backyard, dribbling on the ground because we didn’t have a blacktop, which helped me become a really good ball handler. What I really love about the high school kids is watching these kids grow into young adults. [I want to] be a positive influence and [teach how you] could learn some life skills on how to work hard and together.”

As a father, coach and teacher, Burgess aims to learn new things each day from his students and help them go on to be the best possible citizens they can be.

“I’m a firm believer that you have to be confident in what you do. Don’t be arrogant, don’t be conceited, but be confident, [and] treat people how you want to be treated. The other thing that my parents would say is no matter how bad you think you have it, somebody out there has it worse than you. With that being said, I’m always smiling and saying hello to everyone. I really love people and passing down my knowledge to people. I’m like a sponge: I absorb everything. It’s one of those things where I try to learn something new every day, and the best way to learn is to ask questions, observe and keep working. I tell my kids, students and players that I’m very fortunate and blessed to be able to do work in a profession that I love. So I don’t really look at it as work, I’m passionate about it and I love what I do. I tell my students find your niche, work hard and conquer that goal to get that job in your niche. Then it’s not work, if you’re passionate about what you do then you’re going to enjoy waking up in the morning,” Burgess said.