NEW: Bryant's Burns Comes Out as First Openly Gay DI Basketball Coach
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
NEW: Bryant's Burns Comes Out as First Openly Gay DI Basketball Coach
"Telling my story was not a decision I made lightly, and it was not made without consideration of how it would affect those around me. I am thankful for the support system I have had and for how it has grown over the recent weeks and days. It has been a long journey to get to the place I am today, and I hope by doing this, I can help ease the pain and conflict so many others are going through, often in silence.
Equally as important for me, though, is returning the focus to what I love – coaching basketball. I look forward to a season in which I feel free to be my authentic self both on the court and off it, and I hope this will not serve as a distraction for me professionally, for the game that has meant so much to me, or for the student-athletes and coaches who have supported me throughout this journey," said Burns in a statement.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTGetting Support
In his article, Burns says that he has received great support since he began telling people in college basketball.
"Since I started telling people in college basketball over the last few months, I've realized my fears were far worse than reality. I've realized that people, for the most part, are human beings first. For a guy who's relatively cynical and can be negative, the reactions of people in my sport and in my life have shut me right up and reenergized my hope in the human spirit, in empathy," Burns says.
Bryant University Athletic Director Bill Smith issued a statement saying "We fully support Chris and what he is doing and are proud that Bryant University is a place where he feels comfortable telling his story. It takes tremendous character and courage to take this step. At Bryant, we have moved beyond stereotypes and biases and see Chris for who he is – a great man and a fantastic basketball coach. The good that he is doing will echo through generations to come, in athletics and beyond, and Chris will always be a valued member of the Bryant Bulldog family."
Burns concludes his article by giving advice to people in a similar situation, saying, "Take your time and be comfortable. Everyone's personal journey is special and unique, and no one should feel pressure to do anything they aren't comfortable with."
Chris Burns
Burns is entering his fourth season as a member of the Bryant University basketball staff and his third season as an assistant coach. Prior to becoming an assistant, Burns served as the Director of Basketball Operations in 2012-13 and was promoted to an assistant in June of 2013.
Prior to coaching at Bryant, Burns was an assistant at Rhode Island College under head coach Bob Walsh.
Burns graduated from Bryant in 2007 and played for the team from 2003-2007, helping the Bulldogs reach four straight Division II NCAA Tournaments including the 2005 Division II National Championship game.
Bryant Basketball
The Bryant University men's basketball team kicks off their season on Saturday, November 14 when they visit the defending National Champion Duke Blue Devils in a game that will be televised on ESPN3.
GoLocal’s All-Rhode Island 2014-15 Division I Hoop Teams
G - Kris Dunn
PC's Kris Dunn was the best player in the state of Rhode Island this season. On the year, Dunn averaged 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds leading Providence to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearence.
"He was a terriffic player, it was obvious as the year went on that he was the best pro prospect in the conference. Considering he hadn't played much prior to this season cause of injury, he had a great year," Friar legend Joe Hassett said.
Dunn posted eight Double-doubles and one triple-double during the season and led the Big East in assists and steals. Kris Dunn is the first player ever to lead the league in both of those categories.
Dunn's acolades this season included:
Big East Defensive Player of the Year
G - E.C. Matthews
E.C. Matthews led the Rams this season, averaging 17 points and five rebounds per game and leading URI to their first post season appearence since 2010.
Matthews scored int double-figures in URI's final ten games and 13 of the last 14 while his season high of 27 points came on December 10 against in state rival Providence.
"E.C. had a great year, adjusted well to being the go to perimeter player for us. He took on the other team's best defender every night and did a good job," URI assistant coach Jim Carr said.
During the season, E.C. Matthews was selected as a finalist for the Jerry West Award, and prior to the season Matthews was placed on the Bob Cousy Award watch list.
G - Dyami Starks
Dyami Starks led the Bryant Bulldogs to their first division one post season win in program history when Bryant beat Sacred Heart in the NEC quarterfinal.
Starks averaged 19 points and three rebounds per game while shooting 91% from the free throw line.
In Bryant's 31 game season, Starks reached double-figures in scoring in every game accept for two and had at least 20 points in 11 of those games.
"He was terrific this year on and off the court for us. Dyami had a great career, we are going to miss him," said Bryant head coach Tim O'Shea.
After the season, Starks was named to the United States Basketball Writers Asscoiation All-District 1 selection. Starks was the only player from the NEC to be selected.
F - LaDontae Henton
LaDontae Henton carried the Friars offense this season averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per game for Providence. Henton also posted seven double-doubles on the year.
On March 4, LaDontae Henton reached the 2,000 career points milestone making him only the second Friar everto record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. The only other Friar to do it is Ryan Gomes, the progams all-time leading scorer.
"LaDontae has been terriffic his entire career, especially this year in a good Big East conference that got six teams into the NCAA Tournament. For him to lead the league in scoring is quite an accomplishment," Hassett said.
Henton ends his Friars career with 2,051 points, making him the second all-time leading scorer in PC history.
For his efforts, LaDontae Henton was selected to the All-Big East first team this season along with teammate Kris Dunn.
F - Hassan Martin
Hassan Martin was a force on the URI front line this season, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds per game for the Rams.
On the year, Martin blocked 103 shots and recorded 24 steals on the season.
On January 22, Martin nearly recorded a triple-double, pulling down nine rebounds, recording 10 blocked shots and pouring in 14 points in URI's 59-47 win over La Salle.
"For him to not be chosen as the A-10 defensive player of the year is mindboggling," URI assistant coach Jim Carr said.
Martin recorded eight double-doubles on the year, two of the most notable ones coming in the regular season against Davidson and Richmond. Martin pulled down 16 rebounds in both games.
Rookie of the Year
Jared Terrell gets Rookie of the Year honors after starting every game except one and averaging nine points per game for the Rams.
Terrell's career high 23 points came in a 81-68 win over St. Louis.
On the year, Jared Terrell averaged 1.4 steals per game for a season total of 46 to help lead URI's lock down defense.
Other Contenders:
Jarvis Garrett (URI): six points per game, 33 games played, 25 minutes per game.
Ben Bentil (PC): 6.4 points, 5 rebounds per game, 21 minutes per game in 34 games played
Bosko Kostur (Bryant): 8 points per game in 23 games played, 12 starts.
Coach of the Year
URI coach Dan Hurley gets Coach of the Year honors after leading the Rams to a 23-10 overall record and 13-5 in the A-10.
To put the wins in perspective, in Dan Hurley's first two seasons as Rams head coach, URI only won 22 games.
Under Hurley, URI got back to the post season for the first time since 2010 and won their first round NIT game against Iona at the Ryan Center.
Under Hurley, the future of URI basketball looks bright.
Other Contenders
Ed Cooley (PC): 22-12 overall, 11-7 in the Big East. Made it to NCAA Tournament for second straight season.
Tim O'Shea (Bryant): 16-15 overall, 12-6 NEC. Won first division I post season game in program history.
Player of the Year
Kris Dunn is the player of the year in Rhode Island averaging 16 points, seven assists and five rebouds to help lead the Friars back to the NCAA Tournament.
Dunn is the only player in history to lead the Big East in both steals and assists.
Now the Friars and their fans wait on Dunn's decsion. Stay in college or go to the NBA?
"I say 50 percent chance he leaves. I think he can be an NBA player. But my advice to him would be to stay in school another year," said Joe Hassett.
Other Contenders:
LaDontae Henton (PC): 20 points, seven rebounds per game. Led the Big East in scoring.
E.C. Matthews (URI): 17 points and five rebounds per game. Was named tot he Bob Cousy Award watch list prior to the season starting.
Dyami Starks (Bryant): 19 points per game. Led Bryant to first division I post season win in school history.
GoLocal Second Team
Here are five players that made the GoLocal second team.
G- Joe O'Shea (Bryant): 11 points per game, shot 47 percent from the field.
G- Jared Terrell (URI): Averaged nine points per game, 46 steals on the season.
G- T.J. Buchanan (URI): Averaged six points and three rebounds per game for URI. Provided a big spark and leadership off the bench.
F- Cedric Kuakumensah (Brown): Averaged 11 points, eight rebounds per game. Recorded 76 blocked shots on the season.
F- Rafael Maia (Brown): Averaged ten points, nine rebounds on the season. Recorded seven double-doubles on the season.
