HAMPTON, Va. (August 21, 2025) … Hampton University head lacrosse coach Vincent Culpepper announced on Thursday that Virginia Beach native Chris Burke has joined his coaching staff as an assistant coach.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Chris to the program. From the very beginning, it was clear he was the right coach to lead our defense. Chris is a true builder, and the work he did in developing and elevating the program at Wabash speaks for itself," Culpepper said. "His passion and energy were contagious throughout the interview process, and when you combine that with his relentless work ethic, it was a no-brainer; we knew we had our guy. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Pirate family and back home to the 757".

Burke comes to Hampton after serving as the head coach at Wabash College for the last four seasons. In his tenure at Wabash, the Little Giants won 27 games and broke school records for goals scored in a season twice and season records for assists once. His last three seasons saw the team amass totals to rank in the all-time top three in goals, assists and individual goals.

Not only did the Little Giants make a mark offensively, his teams improved defensively as they dropped their goals against average by over 3.5 goals per game in his last two seasons and allowed a school record low 9.95 per game in 2025. They also finished in the top three defensively in save percentage in a season, caused turnovers in a season and in a game during his tenure. Burke left Wabash as the all-time winningest coach in program history.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to help Hampton University Lacrosse take the next steps," Burke said. "I want to thank Coach Culpepper in allowing me to be a part of this program and believing that I can help take it to next level."

His 2025 squad matched the school mark of wins going 8-8 scoring 169 goals in 16 matches. Senior Quinn Fitzgerald was named Third Team All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) as he topped the NCAC in assists per game (1.94) and was ninth in goals scored per game (2.31) after recording 37 goals and 31 assists in 16 games.

The LIttle Giants won a season-best eight games in 2024, setting a new program mark of 179 goals scored. The 10.95 goals-against average for the season also set a new program-best mark. Fitzgerald earned Third Team All-NCAC honors after leading the Little Giants in scoring with 39 goals. He ranked fifth among NCAC players with an average of 4.07 points per game.

Wabash posted seven wins in 2023 with a 7-9 overall record. The Little Giants scored 171 goals and broke the school record for assists with 111. Quinn Fitzgerald tied the NCAA Division III record for goals scored in a game by tallying 13 in a win at Concordia Chicago. Fitzgerald and Artie Rogers became the first Wabash players to earn national honors after being named to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association / Dynamic Team of the Week in March 2022. Faceoff specialist Luka DiFilippo broke the Wabash single-game record for faceoff wins with a 25-of-29 effort at the dot against Anderson to earn NCAC Player of the Week honors. Wabash set seven new single-season team records and broke two single-game team marks in 2023.  

Wabash finished 4-12 overall in Burke's first season at the helm with a 1-8 record in North Coast Athletic Conference games. Senior Jeremiah Eaton was named to the 2022 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Men's Lacrosse First Team by Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine. Fellow senior Evan Schiefelbein earned Honorable Mention All-NCAC honors for the second consecutive season. 
 
Burke came to Wabash from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he served the past four seasons as the first assistant coach, defensive and goalie coach, and recruiting coordinator for the men's lacrosse program. The Saints were ranked as high as 12th nationally in 2021 and ranked sixth among NCAA Division II schools in man-down defense (eight goals against in 44 attempts), 11th in scoring defense (8.46 goals allowed), and 16th in caused turnovers (9.92 per game).
The Saints earned berths in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Tournament in three of Burke's four seasons as an assistant. Burke coached the 2019 GLVC Men's Lacrosse Player of the Year and the 2021 GLVC Freshman of the Year. A total of nine Maryville players earned All-GLVC honors for the 2021 campaign. The Saints were ranked 17^th in the nation in 2019 and led the nation in caused turnovers.
 
Burke spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Saint Leo University in Florida before joining the NCAA Division II program as a player. Burke served as team captain as a senior and helped the Lions earn a Sunshine State Conference tournament appearance in 2016. Burke also served as the Student Veterans of America President while at Saint Leo.
 
A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Burke played in high school with the First Colonial Lacrosse Club. He also served as the program director for True Indiana Lacrosse out of Indianapolis, Indiana.
 
Burke served as a member of the United States Marine Corps for five years. He rose to the rank of corporal and received a Purple Heart after being wounded in combat in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.