| Brad Burnham |
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UCLA's assistant coach from 1994-96, Brad Burnham returns to UCLA for his fifth season as a member of the UCLA coaching staff, after leaving the program at the completion of the '96 season to serve as head coach of Team Vortex in Colorado. He returned to UCLA midway through the 1997-98 season, helping the Bruins to a successful Pac-10 Championship and NCAA Championship showing.
Burnham assists head coach Cyndi Gallagher in all phases of the program, primarily stressing stroke development and stroke technique. "It is important that our athletes incorporate the most efficient technique," says Burnham. "The proper technique leads to greater improvement in their times, as well as keeps them healthy."
Raised in York, Maine, Burnham trained with the Seacoast Swim Association under Mike Parratto. He continued on to the University of Maine, where he was a standout student-athlete, school record holder in the 200 butterfly and team captain.
While finishing his degree in education, he began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater for one year. He then moved on to the Colorado State University coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, while working towards his Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology.
"Brad's expertise in the science of swimming and in stroke technique has been very beneficial to our program" says Gallagher. "He has worked with many world class athletes such as World record holder, Amy Van Dyken, UCLA's Olympic Gold Medal winner Annette Salmeen; national team member Kristy Heydanek and UCLA former All-American Lindsay Etter. His knowledge and ability to teach the swimmers the details of strokes, starts, turns and race strategies have been a huge asset to our program. I believe it is one reason UCLA swimmers continue to improve as they go through their four years of college."
Recently engaged to Laura Lee, his hobbies include mountain biking, hiking and reading.
