Hoops teams embark on new season with resolve, purpose
By Richard Burnett
As Beacon College’s basketball teams tip off a new season, they do so with a shared sense of grit, growth, and purpose. Under the leadership of former pro athletes Pat Burke and Mfon Udoka, both the men’s and women’s squads are navigating early challenges with resilience — on the scoreboard and in their personal development. In a program where character matters as much as competition, Beacon’s student-athletes are learning to win not just games, but life lessons.
Men’s Team: Building Momentum Through Adversity
In a marathon home opener Oct. 24, the Beacon College men’s basketball team went head-to-head with a strong squad from URBE University. Despite an inspired effort, the Blazers fell short, 114-109, in the final minute after four overtimes.
After such a tough loss, you might expect heads to hang in the Blazers’ locker room. But you’d be wrong. That’s when Coach Burke knew he had a team of character.
“They battled four overtimes and never gave up,” said Burke, a former Orlando Magic player and now Beacon’s first-year head coach and director of athletics, fitness and recreation. “Our guys showed resilience. Sure, it hurt getting beat at home. But it was a wake-up call, and I believe the team came away from it more determined and confident.”
Burke’s belief in the team hasn’t wavered during Beacon’s second season in the small-college New South Athletic Conference. While flashes of brilliance are evident, turnovers remain a challenge for the young squad still learning to play together. Still, the Blazers are building early-season momentum with a .500 record after four games.
“This team is competitive, for sure,” Burke said. “There’s definitely a sense in the locker room that the players have a drive to win, to go out and show they can take on any team out there.”
Women’s Team: Competing Against the Odds
Coaching the Beacon women’s team, former WNBA player Udoka leads a squad also in its second season in the New South. The startup women’s division has faced instability, with three of five teams dropping out last season due to funding shortages. Beacon won a one-game playoff to claim the championship — with only five players on the roster.
This season brings similar challenges. Several schools again withdrew, leaving Beacon and two others scrambling to fill schedules. Although seven ladies are on the roster, Udoka’s team again suits up just five players due to injury and eligibility.
“The good news is we have three players returning from last season, so that gives us some experience,” Udoka said. “But we are shorter and smaller than last year. And that’s a challenge. So, it’s not a desirable situation, but my main thing is always to build their confidence and motivate them to meet their personal and team goals.”
Coaching Beyond the Court
While competitiveness is a priority, both coaches emphasize personal growth — a value especially important for Beacon’s neurodivergent students.
Gavin W. Palmer, assistant men’s coach and senior community educator, said his dual roles help foster deeper connections.
“As a full-time community educator, I work with all the students and colleagues on campus, developing great relationships that have spilled over into the basketball world,” Palmer said. “So, the focus is not just on seeing them as basketball players, but on relationship building on and off the court. And there are a lot of conversations with players about their daily lives, hopes and future goals.”
Udoka said one of her greatest satisfactions is seeing players grow both on and off the court.
“I tell them that, at the end of the day, being an athlete is tough, losing is hard, and playing a full game is hard,” she said. “But these are things that will help you in whatever you choose to do in life. Sports is great for that.”
Burke agreed that coaching is about more than X’s and O’s.
“True leadership is knowing how to communicate with the players as individuals,” he said. “Know how to ask the right questions, tune into players where they are, and find their strengths. Once you’ve built a relationship based on that trust, you can help them achieve the best version of themselves.”
Beacon Athletics and Fitness
Our athletics options include competitive play in our conference sports and opportunities in our no-cost intramural sports programs. Offering full schedules of team and intramural athletics, all students are encouraged to participate.
Athletics