The Man at the Heart of BT Soccer

By: Danielle Chazen

Box office record breaker “Batman” has nothing on real life hero Marc Burkom, coach of Beth Tfiloh boys varsity soccer.

Burkom, 28, of Columbia has been coaching the team since 2005 despite having to wear prosthetic feet after being diagnosed with fibular hemimelia syndrome at birth, which caused absent and malformed bones in each of his legs under his knees and defects in his right arm.

A 1998 graduate of Beth Tfiloh himself, Burkom has inspired his players to improve as both athletes and as people.

“His passion and commitment for the game greatly influence how we play on the field as well as how we conduct ourselves in other environments,” said co-captain Abdo Roffe who has played for Burkom since 2004.

Former striker Elan Telem, who graduated in 2007, led the team in scoring with nine goals his senior year and played for Burkom for three years.

“I don’t see him any differently from any other great coach,” Telem said. “He is a hard-working coach who pushes his players to be at their best, yet he employs a laidback mentality that allows his players to flourish as individuals and as a team. I significantly improved under Marc as a player and as a person.”

Jeff Clarke, Beth Tfiloh’s athletic director, could not be more pleased with the level of enthusiasm and improvement Burkom has brought to the team as well as the strong relationships he has developed with the players.

“Marc is not just a soccer coach but a student of the game,” Clarke said. “He brings a knowledge of the game of soccer to his practices and games that are of the highest level. Most of his players consider him the best soccer coach they have ever had.”

Co-captain Eric Bormel said Burkom’s ability to not only teach soccer, but to participate in practices and drills, forces every player to work harder. He said the coach changed the way he sees the game.

Burkom has overcome several obstacles in his time playing and coaching the sport, yet he has managed to earn the respect and support of his players and fellow coaches.

“My prosthetics have never been the cause for anybody to doubt my ability,” Burkom said.

“The highest compliment that his players give him is that they are never aware of his disability, but rather his soccer knowledge and ability to convey that knowledge in a very positive manner,” Clarke said.

Burkom said his most difficult challenge came in the summer of 2005 when he was acquiring a “C” License from the United States Soccer Federation. He spent nine days learning and playing alongside former collegiate and professional players and said he was really pushed to his limits.

Burkom’s team held a record of 8-7-2 last year, and he and his players are confident in the team’s potential for the upcoming season.

“This season we will have a roster full of experienced seniors who are hungry to win,” he said. “If our veterans and also some of our young players play to their potential, we will have a great chance at winning the championship.”

Senior Tal Lesser, who began playing for Burkom in middle school and continued through junior varsity and varsity levels, also has high expectations for this year.

“We hope to win the championship coming off a hard season-ending loss to Baltimore Lutheran last year in the semifinals,” Lesser said.

Bormel is also confident in the team’s capability.

“Coach Burkom knows that we won't take no for an answer,” he said. “We hope that this is our year.”

Practices will begin Aug. 11 at Summit Park Elementary School in Pikesville.

The first official tryout will be held Aug. 24, and the varsity roster will be announced at the end of the third tryout Aug. 26.

Beth Tfiloh will play its first game of the season on Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. at Key School in Annapolis.

Since 2003, Burkom has also coached for the Soccer Association of Columbia/Howard County. He currently coaches an Under-11 boys travel team.

While pursuing a master’s degree in sports management online from the United States Sports Academy in Alabama, Burkom has also spent time speaking to groups including young amputees, their parents and freshmen at Glenelg High School, where his wife is a teacher.

Burkom has served as a true role model to Beth Tfiloh students and has ingrained his positive mentality into each of his players. He has demonstrated that even in the face of difficult obstacles, one can accomplish the unimaginable.

Posted Aug. 4, 2008