Matt Burgess Rejoins Bridgton Academy

July 24, 2015

CONTACT: Nick LeBel, Director of the 1808 Media House, 207.647.3322 x1217

NORTH BRIDGTON, ME – Matt Burgess, a class of 1988 graduate and 10-year veteran of Bridgton Academy’s staff in the late ‘90s – early 2000’s, has rejoined the Academy to serve as Assistant Football Coach, Admissions Officer and classroom teacher. Burgess comes to BA after a four-year stint as Head Football Coach at Gardiner High School in Gardiner, Maine, where he led the Tigers to two Eastern Class B Semifinal appearances. He brings over 20 years of coaching experience back to Bridgton Academy with him.

“We are extremely excited to bring Matt Burgess back home,” said Bridgton Academy Headmaster Grady Vigneau. “Matt truly understands our young men, and puts a huge emphasis on building up our Wolverines. His experience and relationships with our students is invaluable; we feel truly lucky to have him back.”

With new head coach Juwan Jackson preparing to being his first season at Bridgton Academy, Burgess brings a unique perspective and invaluable experience to the coaching staff. Having served as assistant coach of a number of positions, as well as helming the defense as Defensive Coordinator, Burgess’s wealth of experience will prove invaluable to Jackson as he kicks off his career at BA.

Burgess also brings a wealth of experience with player safety and development as a member of USA Football. A Master Trainer, Burgess delivers seminars and presentations on safety in youth and schoolboy football, as well as teaching proper technique to emphasise safety over impact during tackling.

In addition to coaching football, Burgess will resume his duties in the classroom, teaching Anatomy and Physiology, as well as potentially other subjects; he taught A&P for several years at Bridgton during his previous stint with the Academy. He will also find himself on the road recruiting potential Wolverines throughout Maine.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to return to Bridgton Academy and help Coach Jackson renew a football tradition of excellence in the spirit of coaching legends such as Rick Marcella and Tom Austin,” Burgess said. “I’ve always considered Bridgton Academy home – I graduated from here, and returned here for a successful career, and I couldn’t be more excited to be back.”

Burgess will reside on campus with his wife, Dianne. He will begin his duties on campus beginning in late July.

“Matt will always have a place here,” said Headmaster Vigneau, “we were just keeping it warm for a few years.”

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Bridgton Academy’s mission is to provide a program for young men in a unique, one-year postgraduate environment to prepare for the competitive rigors of college and beyond. Bridgton Academy is located in western Maine, in the town of North Bridgton.