Bethany College announced this week that Jonna Burke, a veteran coach with more than three decades of experience, will take the helm of its women's basketball program.
A Legacy of Excellence
Over a career spanning 35 years, Burke has amassed more than 500 victories and guided Shady Side Academy to two PIAA District VII Class 3A championships, while also leading Bethel Park High School to its first District VII Class 4A title in 2013.
Her early coaching stops included Butler High School, where she captured a sectional championship and reached the state quarterfinals on four occasions, earning Trib High School Sports Network Class 3A Coach of the Year honors four years in a row and being named Class 6A Coach of the Year in 2020.
Before turning to coaching, Burke enjoyed a standout playing career at the University of Pittsburgh, where she was a three‑time All‑Big East selection, the 1991 Big East Rookie of the Year, and finished with 1,807 points and 954 rebounds, placing her seventh all‑time in program history for both categories.
A New Chapter
Burke’s induction into the University of Pittsburgh Walk of Fame and the Atlantic Coast Conference Legends Class of 2016, as well as her enshrinement in the Bethel Park High School Hall of Fame (1995) and the Western Pa. Interscholastic Athletic League Hall of Fame (2016), underscore the breadth of her impact on the sport.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English writing and a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh, credentials that complement her deep basketball intellect and leadership style.
College officials expressed confidence that Burke’s proven track record and commitment to player development will elevate the program’s competitiveness and foster a culture of excellence as the team looks toward future seasons.