Kara Burke '23 Recruiting Profile

Since age 8 I have been drawn to the physicality and the intensity of hockey. This led me to grow up playing boys hockey. I was unaware that a girls program even existed. At 13, I was told I could no longer play with the boys team, I was forced to re-evaluate my hockey options. So, I joined a girls AA program; however, the girls team did not match my future goals of extending my hockey career to a college level.

There have been many sacrifices I have made in order to get where I am today. Freshman year, I left my home town in Colorado to pursue my hockey career in Chicago. I was successful and made the Chicago Young American u14 team. There were big changes made to my life with a new organization, school, and city. However, I stepped up to the challenge and I was able to meet new people, be successful on the team, and keep up with my grades.

Moving states has helped me develop not only on the ice, but as a person as well. I have gained many successful life skills from the sport. Communication, perseverance, time management, and being coachable are a few examples of ways hockey has improved me as a person.

I transfer these abilities to the classroom and this makes me academically successful. I communicate with my teachers regularly if I have questions. Since hockey is demanding, I make sure I stay on top of all my academic tasks, complete them thoroughly, and submit them on time. Finally, I am able to grasp new concepts during my teacher's lessons and apply them accurately.