SCOTT BURRILL" KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK" AS ATHLETE IN N.H.

AND AS COACH AT SMS

If Hollywood were casting for a coach they need look no further than SMS' Scott Burrill.
His well-conditioned 6 ft. frame and assertive voice personifies an impressive coaching
demeanor. More impressive, his achievements are not confined to the sidelines. Scott holds the
honor of being the only athlete in N.H. to win three state championships under one coach...the
legendary Dr. John Bagonzi who is Scott's mentor, idol and "father figure".
He won state titles under Dr. Bagonzi in cross country, baseball and basketball at Woodsville
H.S., N.H. and since 1985 he has been passing along Dr. Bagonzi's, coaching philosophy at
Somersworth Middle School as coach of soccer, basketball and track teams and as a Phys. Ed.
teacher.
After Woodsville, Mr. Burrill attended UNH where he received his degree in education and
certification to teach Phys. Ed and later taught at Merrimack Valley H.S. for one year. He
returned to UNH to serve as recreational director until joining SMS. His first coaching
assignment was freshman basketball and helping with track. Over the years Scott has coached
basketball, soccer and track at SMS. Incidentally, he led this year's soccer team to an undefeated
season.
The sports scene has improved immeasurably since 1985 when the cafeteria served as the gym.
He recalls when soccer was played on the Forest Glade refuse site and it took him eight hours to
dig four holes to install two soccer goals.
In addition to coaching, Mr. Burrill found time to create the Somersworth Rec Soccer program,
which today is known as ROSSO.
After more than 25 years of coaching, Scott's philosophy hasn't changed." An athlete must be
committed, to succeed regardless of his skill level and it's a coach's responsibility to instill that
attitude," he pointed out." Then the player must set goals, and a coach can help the player meet
them. In the final analysis, Winning is the by- product of commitment, life is simple, it is a
matter of setting goals and getting there. Coach Bagonzi
What has changed over the years is how Scott observes the game he is coaching. "While I still
have a great determination to win, I can coach a game and enjoy the athletic skills of my
players," Scott said.
He cites a personal experience to illustrate determination that an athlete must have. When
participating in a cross country race for some inexplicable reason a train stopped on the course
and blocked the runners path. Not to be deterred, Scott merely squeezed under the train and
continued his race.
And Scott hasn't stopped running ...from coaching, to refereeing, to being an educator, to being a
husband and a father. Last year he was recipient of the ACE AWARD given to an SMS teacher

who makes an extra effort to fulfill their basic teaching responsibility. At the end of every school
day, Mr. Burrill and his colleague, Carol McKenney can be seen holding the school's front doors
and bidding the students a happy farewell.
Scott is the proud father of two daughters that have excelled in athletics and in the classroom.
They will be working with young children, like their grade school mom. Kelsey as an
Occupational Therapist and Stephanie as a Grade School classroom teacher.
Kelsey will be coaching club volleyball this year.
The Burrill coaching bar has been set....reaching it won't be easy!!!