This story originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Gator Country Magazine. VIP subscribers to GatorCountry.com receive the magazine in the mail every month, and copies are available throughout Gainesville.
Florida Gators soccer coach Becky Burleigh had been toying around with the idea for a long time—to get a sidecar, or not to get a sidecar? That was the question. Burleigh, who prefers to take a scooter when driving alone, wasn’t sure about the idea of a sidecar for it.
Having two dogs, she thought that both dogs would not fit in the sidecar, and that it would be unfair to take one dog and not the other. But after the recent passing of her first yellow lab, Copa, given to her 16 years ago by the first team she coached, Burleigh pulled the trigger. Now Cody, her yellow lab, is able to cruise along with Burleigh, and even has his own pair of goggles so that he is riding in style.
“When I first got the sidecar, Cody would just sort of lay down inside of it and I thought, ‘I don’t know if he likes this or not,’” Burleigh said. “After he got used to it, now he sits up, and I love taking him with me. It’s great to be able to take him with me and take my scooter at the same time.”
But it’s not just Burleigh’s vast love for her pup that sets her apart from other soccer coaches. Burleigh also moonlights as a DJ. It started out as something fun for her to do outside of soccer, but at one of her friend’s parties, Burleigh started doing a little DJing and began to get into it. Since then, her skills have progressed, and now she is DJing at friends’ and former players’ weddings.
“The weddings are a lot of fun because it’s a way to be involved,” Burleigh said. “It’s been really fun, and I really look forward to doing it. It’s a little easier for me because I know the people involved. I usually also know the fiancés and their families, and I think it’s just a great connection.”
Burleigh also likes to bring her fun personality with her on the soccer field. While practices aren’t all fun and games, she likes to throw in some unexpected activities.
“Our Halloween practice where everyone dresses up is a lot of fun,” Burleigh said. “Even just playing some competitive games. We play this one game every week called ‘shots and crosses’ and I’m the referee. I always like to try to fire up one of the two teams and make controversial calls to get everybody riled up.”
While Burleigh likes to keep things fun on the field, she still manages to balance work and play with the players. Sometimes she has to be the disciplinarian and make decisions that players may not like, but in the end they still manage to have a good time.
“I think that if you enjoy doing what you’re doing, then you’re going to be more motivated to do it. We get through a lot of hard work and the players would tell you that, but those activities are just ways of having fun but still accomplishing something productive.”
Freshman goalkeeper Taylor Burke feels that Burleigh is a rare find. She believes Burleigh’s coaching style definitely works for the team and is a major contribution to the program’s success.
“She’s definitely something special,” Burke said. “She knows how to balance our emotions with competition out on the playing field.”
When asked about how her outgoing personality affects her relationships with the players, Burleigh couldn’t help but giggle.
“I think our players might tell you a different story about if I’m fun or not,” she said with laughter. “But I’m very interested in them as people, not just as soccer players. I think that part helps keep things a little separate off the field and on the field.”
And of course, as the players graduate, the dynamic of the relationship she shares with them changes. Because there are no longer pressures from soccer, even more fun is incorporated. Burleigh maintains very close ties with her former players and was the creator of the Alumni Weekend for Florida’s soccer team. This provides current players the opportunity to meet the girls that played before them, a very special event to Burleigh.
When Burleigh isn’t coaching, scooting with Cody, or DJing at weddings, she devotes her time to many other interests and activities. She likes traveling to “non-touristy” types of places. She scuba dives enjoys the cultural arts scene in Gainesville. Another one of her favorite things to do is attend other sporting events at the University of Florida.
“I really enjoy going to all of the other sports at Florida. That’s a lot of fun. Especially when you know the participants involved. That’s another way for me to bond with our players, because most of them are at those sports.”
Burleigh has a multifaceted personality and long list of off-the-wall activities, making her one of the most unique coaches at UF and around the country. When asked what her all-time favorite thing to do is, Burleigh cracked a smile.
“I think that’s my problem, I really enjoy doing a lot of different things. There’s not really one thing. I think I like a lot of variety.”