Dec 11, 2016 4 min read

The numbers have added up in Chelsey (Pryor) Burk’s favor for some time.

She has turned them in to a big score.

Burk was a prolific high school golfer for Canevin Catholic (now known as Bishop Canevin), one of the best in the state and WPIAL. The Washington native was a four-year starter and scholarship golfer for the University of Kansas.

Now, as a college administrator – assistant athletic director, business affairs for The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., she is successful formulating budgets, making financial plans for the various athletic programs and shaping the department’s fiscal future.

“I am extremely happy and grateful I had the opportunity to play some part in the renovation of our football stadium (Zable Stadium),” said Burk, who was hired by William and Mary in the spring of 2015, about halfway through the project.

“It has been great and challenging planning a budget, working with the ticket office, corporate sales and to be involved in the planning side of things.”

Burk came to William and Mary from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she was department of accounting program coordinator. Prior to that she was athletic business manager at California University for four years (2010-2014) and worked from 2008-2010 as William & Mary’s athletics business manager.

It has been an educational and professional experience and it has happened during a rise in female involvement in college athletics.

“You see a female as the athletic director at Penn State,” Burk said. “Females are taking on leadership roles. A lot of it has come from the professional development the NCAA has provided.

“Women have a seat at the table. It’s great to see that happening. Before, if it wasn’t happening for females at the Division II and III levels, then it was not happening at Division I. We are seeing quite a change and it is a good change.”

Burk said her golfing experience at Canevin and Kansas did more than prepare her for a professional career.

As an undergraduate at Kansas, Burk was a member of the varsity golf squad while earning her bachelor’s degree in Communications. As a Jayhawk, she was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 first-team selection and was a three-time All-American Scholar before graduating in 2007.

A year later, Burk earned a master’s degree from California in Sport Management with a concentration in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration.

At Canevin, it was as much what she learned off the golf course that helped her as a collegiate performer. She graduated from Canevin in 2002.

“It was great to be at a school with a dedicated girls golf program,” Pryor said. “There wasn’t a whole lot of girls programs at that time. But Canevin helped prepare me academically for Kansas. The study habits developed, time-management skills all came from Canevin and helped me take the next step.

“Division I golf is difficult. There is no real offseason. You are practicing and competing all the time. So it was imperative to stay on top of the academics, work with advisors and tutors. It’s a very strict schedule. You have to be disciplined.”

Burk was surprised and saddened when William & Mary’s athletic director, Terry Driscoll, announced his retirement effective at the end of June.

“I am happy for him,” she said. “He’s done so well.”

Burk’s role will be to meet with the most serious prospective candidates to provide budget and financial information.

It all adds up to a fulfilling professional position, pursuit and career path.

“I am very happy,” she said. “I feel so fortunate to be at the college level. There was a point where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My advisors, mentors and those who helped show me the way really provided a positive push. The support and guidance that helped put me on this path is appreciated.”

It’s also helpful that she is surrounded by her family.

Burk resides in Williamsburg with her husband Jason, who is a teacher. Her mother, Marianne, and father, Chuck Pryor, have retired and moved from Washington to Williamsburg.

“This is really nice,” Burk said. “They all support me and William & Mary athletics. They are season-ticket holders and are involved.

“It’s great for my parents to be so close. It’s really nice.”

John Sacco writes a bi-weekly column for the Observer-Reporter on local sports history.