June 1, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina assistant golf coach Michael Burcin was named the recipient of the 2010 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf on Tuesday, which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate assistant coach by the Golf Coaches Association of America.

“I am extremely humbled to not only be recognized with the nine other nominees but also be the recipient of the 2010 Jan Strickland Award,” said Burcin. “Like many other awards, this would not be possible without the support and involvement of many other people. I cannot thank enough my wife Michelle, Head Coach Bill McDonald, (Director of Golf) Puggy Blackmon, all my current and past players, the administration at the University of South Carolina, as well as the GCAA. Being the son and grandson of former coaches, I am truly honored to be given such an award.”

A finalist for the Strickland Award in each of the last two seasons, Burcin helped South Carolina to a school-record four tournament titles and a berth in the NCAA Championship in 2008-09 and two team victories during the 2009-10 campaign. He joined the South Carolina men’s golf staff as a volunteer assistant in Fall 2004 and was made a full-time assistant in Spring 2005. Burcin is the men’s golf liaison for the academic staff, and the team has achieved at least a 3.3 grade point average in each semester coming into the 2009-10 school year. In addition to coaching, Burcin’s other duties include arranging all travel, scheduling and serving as the liaison to the strength and conditioning and compliance offices.

Since joining the South Carolina staff, Burcin’s men’s teams have won eight team tournament titles and eight individuals have claimed at least a share of medalist honors in tournament play. Gamecock golfers have earned 10 selections to the All-Southeastern Conference team, four have been named All-Americans, and nine student-athletes have earned selections as GCAA Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars.

“Coach Burcin represents the qualities that exemplify what the Jan Strickland assistant coach of the year award stands for,” said Eddie Erkmanis of TaylorMade-adidas Golf Global Sports Marketing and Player Development. “His tireless effort, impressive accomplishments and unselfish contributions to the game of college golf merit his recognition as the top assistant in the country. We are proud to be associated with this award and Michael Burcin.”

Burcin will have the opportunity to further his professional development by receiving an invitation to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Kingdom in Carlsbad, Calif. The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.