LITTLE ROCK – Nine-year Little Rock swimming and diving head coach
Amy Burgess was inducted into the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the Museum of Discovery in downtown Little Rock.
Burgess was one of three inductees chosen for the 2017 Hall of Fame Class as she was also joined by Kyle Sanders and John Reese.
"Arkansas Swimming has been my swimming family for many, many years, and it is such an honor to be inducted and recognized by them," Burgess said. "I am so fortunate to be coaching in Arkansas, and I look forward to continuing the tradition of strong swimming in Arkansas."
Burgess took Little Rock's program to new heights in 2016-17 as the team broke 20 school records and finished with its best dual-meet record in program history. A native Arkansan, she took over the role as head coach in 2008 after serving as the interim head coach in June of 2008 and assistant coach for the 2007-08 season.
Prior to her coaching career, Burgess was one of the most accomplished swimmers in school history at the University of Kansas. In 2005, she set a school record in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:47.01 at the Big 12 Championships. As of 2010, she remains in the top five in school history in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle, and the 100-yard butterfly. Burgess and three of her teammates set the school record in the 400-yard freestyle relay in 2004 with a time of 3:22.29.
Burgess received numerous accolades in her time at KU, including Newcomer of the Year for the 2001-02 season, Big 12 Swimmer of the Month in November of 2002 and 2004, and NCAA Swimmer of the Week in November of 2004. She also received the Tammy Thomas MVP Award in 2002, 2004 and 2005. Burgess was also recognized for her academic excellence, receiving the Jayhawk and Big 12 Scholar Athlete honor all four years of her career. Named to the Big 12 Commissioner's List and the University of Kansas and Kansas Athletics Director's Honor Roll all four years, she received the KU Senior Female Student-Athlete of the Year honor for the 2004-05 season. Burgess also served as co-captain of the team from April 2003 to March 2004.
She joins volunteer diving coach
Mike Bailey and former head coach
Richard Turner as current Little Rock Athletics staff members in the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame.
