by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Mark “Red” Burnam is from the Mohawk Nation and his father was Bear Clan. His Indian name is Teharorens and means Fast Runner. His mother is Italian.
Mark has 40 years of playing and coaching and has accumulated knowledge in lacrosse that is unsurpassed at any level.
Mark Burnam has coached and played in hundreds of lacrosse tournaments and at the highest level possible. He has either played in or coached at every level since his Henninger High School (NY) days in 1980 where his team won the New York State (NYS) lacrosse championship to the World Lacrosse Championships where he coached the major talent of the Iroquois Nationals athletes. He is currently the Iroquois Nationals head coach.
Mark and his wife Lana are the parents of four children, including three boys and one girl. Oldest son Hugh was a three-sport star and being a wrestling, football and lacrosse team captain. He was voted MVP in two of the three sports his senior year. Hugh earned his PHD in Education and Native American Studies at Syracuse University. Son’s Tyler and Brad were both First Team US Lacrosse AA, outstanding players in the Niagara/Canadian Box leagues and both won championships at Salisbury School in Connecticut. Tyler and Brad both received D1 Scholarships to Siena and University of Richmond. Brad was a Second Team All Conference player. Cheyenne played at Onondaga Community College her freshmen year, played in two national championships and was selected 1st team AA with 99 points and was second in the nation in total points.
“We were the first up-state team to win a New York State Lacrosse Championship,” said Mark. “Little history so back then there was only one state champion. When you won that you were literally the best team in the state.”
“The Italians have a very strong family background and so do we as native people,” said Mark. “My mom Marlene raised us all by herself and she is my real hero. We all went to college and graduated. All four of her kids played D1 lacrosse and three of the boys played in a national championship.”
“As a coach I have always believed in working harder then the next guy,” said Mark. “We can only control the things we can control. No one can outwork you, no one can out-lift you, no one can have more heart than you and that is what you can control. If you do you will be the best. It’s one of the values I think our mom instilled in us growing up. She would say respect the game and people who play it.”
“The Creator’s game is played for the pleasure of the Creator and we play it with a good mind,” said Mark. “We always teach it to our boys and girls. I do as much for our youth as I can. I want them to have the same chances as anyone else does. I want them to know that no one will give it to you and you have to earn it.”
“I have so much passion for the game and getting people to the next level it drives me to this day,” said Mark. “That is why I want our youth to develop into champions. Someone gave me a chance and I want to do the same.”
“I believe in being first and always have,” said Mark. “I was the first to go to college, the first to win a state championship, the first to win a national championship, and the first to win a professional indoor world championship. My dream now is I want to be the first coach to win a World Championship. It’s only a matter of time if we can develop our youth we will accomplish all of these dreams.”
“I dream of the native kids going to college and becoming not dreamers but doers,” said Mark. “It’s our path of the future to work hard to develop our youth, teach the language and instill great work ethic. We all have a chance to help especially our parents. I would love to see us drive home education with fairness and family. I was taught a long time ago hope we can still keep some of those old days values. Help your kids be the first to make history and become the first team to win a World Lacrosse Championship.”
“We are all trying to keep our kids focused during this crazy time of the pandemic,” said Mark. “Man, it’s a great time to become closer to your children. Just like we did in the old days.”
“Hope you all are using this time to reflect on your values and what’s important in life. I think we will all become stronger as family if we do,” added Mark.
“One of most gratifying monuments for me as a coach is seeing the kid that you know everyone gives up on and finally goes on to be a graduate,” said Mark. “I guess it’s that look you can see in his or her face when they walk across that stage. Man, you just know that makes it all worthwhile.”
“I found out a long time ago no one is the same,” said Mark. “So as a coach, you have to be like a psychologist. Find out what makes that kid tick. Sometimes you’re a friend, sometimes you’re a parent and the voice of reason, and it’s not always going to be roses. A good coach has to be like a chameleon. There are a lot of ways to get through to kids. I’ve done them all. So sometimes it’s tough love, sometimes it’s showing them X’s and O’s, and sometimes you got to be real gentle. Sometimes you say nothing and it’s just a ‘look’. We all had that guy that you just know says something with just a look.”
“For me yelling was never a way of getting to guys to do what you want,” said Mark. “I played for coaches who yelled all the time. I am not sure that helps me make a decision in the heat of battle and it makes kids feel like they got to walk on egg shells. Worst thing you can do to a player is to make them afraid to make a mistake. Now it’s my opinion that they will never ever be creative and you will never get them to play all out.”
“The best coaches in the world can get their guys or girls to do anything they say and will run through a wall for you because they know you got their back and they believe. When you finally got that chemistry with your players that not only will make you win all the time but that will make you become a champion. I am talking about on and off the field. When you get that you got greatness and greatness is what I want for our youth because to me that is real vision. I don’t want them to be mediocre. I want them to be the absolutely best they can be.”
“We need to make our kids accountable again like it used to be,” said Mark. “Man, don’t buy in halfway, don’t do anything halfway, do it all the way or don’t bother at all.”
“We are a generation of looking good,” said Mark. “I’d rather be good than look good.”
Photo Credit: Lee Nanticoke of NanticokePhotography
Hello Red Burnam, this is your friend, Bill Rosecrans, wishing you the best – Keep up the great work, Mark!!!! Rosecrans
Great thoughts and practices for our youth. The admiration shown by the players toward you is what makes the team. They know you care; that’s why you push. Keep it up. Alex and I have known you since you were a child and still see that same drive!!
Congratulations Mark! Super proud of your efforts, accomplishments and work ethic!
Congratulations mark what a great article.. patty ostuni