UTICA, NY - Utica University Head Track and Field Coach James Lemieux announced the hiring of Tanner Burton in January 2025. Coach Burton will assume the role of Full-Time Assistant coach for Men's and Women's Track and Field/Cross Country, and will directly oversee the Sprints and Hurdles events, as well as assisting with the Combined events.

"We are very excited to add Coach Burton to the staff. In addition to his wealth of knowledge in the sprints/hurdles, he is bringing a new energy and a championship mentality, having been a part of the very strong program at Colby as both an undergraduate and as a coach. We look forward to seeing exactly how far our team can go with him on staff!"

Coach Burton comes to us from Colby College, where he worked closely with Coach Dave Cusano overseeing the sprints and hurdles crew. Burton, a 2022 graduate of Colby College was a standout athlete in his time there, highlighted by setting the NESCAC Meet Record in the 110m Hurdles in 2022, and going on to qualify for the 2022 NCAA DIII Outdoor National Championships in the 110m Hurdles. Coach Burton would go on to compete as a graduate student for D1 University of Maine in 2022-2023.

Coach Burton holds a USTFCCCA Level 1 technical certification and is working towards his Level 2 sprints/hurdles specialist certification.

"I am excited to have been afforded the opportunity to take on a bigger coaching role and am thankful for the chance to join an experienced staff and passionate community. I believe in taking advantage of opportunities given to us and this was one I could not refuse. Utica University is a great place and home to an exceptional athletic culture, I look forward to adding to the University's winning ways and developing young men and women into not only extraordinary athletes, but into extraordinary people as well. I want to thank both Coach Lemieux and Coach Catterson for this opportunity, as well as my mentors, Dave Cusano and Troy Irvine for providing me with the knowledge and support that has gotten me here."