LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thank you from Coach David Burt

Thank you barely suffices for the outpouring of love shown to myself and my family after the tragic loss of my daughter, Ayden Rose Burt, while attending coaching school in San Antonio this past July. Ayden was a third generation educator in Jasper, Texas. My parents, Billy and Sammie, myself, and Ayden had a combined 105 years of service to Jasper ISD. Even though Ayden was only in her fifth year as an educator and coach, she was a true coach’s kid, having grown up in field houses, on football fields, and at track meets, first at C.E. King in Sheldon ISD, and then in Jasper. Ayden had good old school coaching DNA in her. She had a true passion for seeing her students and her athletes succeed on the field, in the classroom, and in life. Ayden had no trouble dishing out the tough love when it was needed, but she was also the kid’s biggest cheerleader and gave all the credit to their efforts.

I coached for twenty-three years before going in to administration, and I know there is not a coach in the state of Texas who has not said to his or her athletes that they are all one big family. Well after this tragic event, I will say that the coaching community across the state of Texas is one big family. I have heard from coaches individually, as staffs, and from districts from all across the state.

There have been too many cards, letters, and contributions for me to thank everyone individually. However, there are a few I want to mention. I want to thank Aaron Henson at TeamFunded and Matt Stepp from Dave Campbell for setting up the online donation fund. I want to thank the THSCA for the benevolence donation. I want to thank the Hispanic Coaches Association for their donation and the Little Cypress-Mauriceville girls track coaches and athletes for their donation. These donations are going towards a scholarship foundation that has been set up in Ayden’s name called The Ayden Rose Burt Foundation. The foundation has been set up as a Texas Non Profit Corporation and is applying for 501c3 tax status. If you would like information about donating my email is sdburt@swbell.net

I also want thank Coach Kendrick Crumedy, the head football coach and Athletic Director in Jasper, for all he has done in helping me and my family through this tragedy. A very special thank you goes out to Coach Joe Martin of the Texas High School Coaches Association; he has really gone above and beyond in coordinating so many things behind the scenes.

Again, thank you to all who have reached out in any way. There are way too many for me to list in a single letter, but know that you are all loved and appreciated so much.

Sincerely,

David Burt

Read the entire November 2024 Issue of Texas Coach here: https://issuu.com/thscacoaches/docs/nov24upload?fr=sYmEwNDY1NjgzODI