Chatt Chats: In-depth, real, and behind-the-scene stories of our incredible GoMocs student-athletes & programs. Produced by Tate Johnson, Production Director, and Corey Belonzi, Strategic Communications Assistant Director. Story told by Allison Swinford, student assistant. 

Vol. 3 - Strength Through Adversity, the NaKeia Burks Story

Family is the Reason
Leaving behind family is always hard, especially when that means leaving behind your biggest fans and two younger siblings. However, for fifth-year senior NaKeia Burks of the Chattanooga Women's Basketball program, it was a sacrifice she had to make in order to fulfill her dreams of becoming a Division I college athlete.
 
The Huntsville, Alabama native perfectly embodies the 'family is everything' tagline.
 
"My family plays a huge role. I come out here, and I think of my family the whole time," said Burks.
 
Playing for someone other than yourself is a common feel within the women's basketball program at UTC under head coach Katie Burrows.

Burks mentions of a "why" board that the team hangs in its locker room. The board has markings from each player listing why they work hard, why they play basketball, and why they continue to push through the intensive life that's required by collegiate athletes.
 
For NaKeia, the 'why' reasons are simple. "They [family] are the reason why I do this."
 
Injury Adversity
Suffering two major knee injuries and several additional minor injuries, NaKeia has had to face some of the strongest adversity a student-athlete could ever imagine.
 
While playing in an AAU game just a few months after committing to play collegiate basketball at UTC, Burks went down with her initial knee injury. The following medial report confirmed a meniscus tear, thus requiring surgery and a lengthy road to recovery.
 
After receiving the injury report, Burks mentions how she was scared and nervous to tell the coaching staff at UTC. Little did she know that this bump in the road would be the start of a something special.
 
"Coach Katie [Burrows] had actually called me and invited me to a camp the Saturday after I was supposed to have surgery," Burks said.
 
She had to respond with the negative news of a torn meniscus, a plan to have surgery, and that she was not going to be able to accept the camp invitation.
 
"I remember her [Katie] asking, 'Do you want us to come down there? Is there anything you need?' And that meant everything to me."
 
It was at that moment when she realized that Chattanooga was something different. She knew the people at her future home saw more than just basketball when they looked at her.
 
Since arriving on campus, that mindset has never changed. The coaching staff and the athletic training staff have walked alongside every step of the way. Jessica Pierce, the Associate Director of Sports Medicine at UTC, noted that NaKeia "has been in the training room every year since she has been here."
 
Unfortunately, that time wasn't spent simply taking ice baths or stretching. The second major knee injury, a tear of the LCL, came during her junior season in 2017. This was another setback in what was supposed to be a breakthrough time.
 
Mentioning that she didn't have the same lift or the same speed on the court, she started to doubted herself.
 
"That one was a rough one to come back from."
 
In what was physically and mentally exhausting on a daily basis, she reiterates the fact that she wouldn't want it any other way. In fact, she thanks God for allowing it all to happen.
 
"Injury wise, I've been through a lot, but it has just made me stronger. [These injuries] made me very grateful for the things I take for granted every day. I try not to take things for granted anymore."
 
One Last Go-Around
After all the injuries, the hurdles and adversity, 2019-20 marks season number five for NaKeia, A  season that she couldn't be more excited to get started on. In an exhibition game to open up the season, Burks played several minutes on the floor and performed exceptionally for the team.
 
"She knows who she is. She understands her role. That is just another reason why she is special," said coach Burrows.
 
Seeing any student-athlete suffer and go through the recovery process from an injury can be tough, more so for a head coach.
 
"It is such a frustrating thing, especially for one that works as hard as NaKeia," added Burrows.
 
While it may be frustrating, she has been able to take a backseat into the role NaKeia plays for her team. To everyone around her, she is everyone's biggest cheerleader. There is hardly a time when fans cannot see number 13 attempting to uplift everyone around her.
 
"On or off the court, she gets excited for her teammates more than she gets excited for herself. Even on the bench, she is that way. It is truly about the group and not about her."
 
There were a few reasons that drove NaKeia back to Chattanooga for the upcoming season and the chance to finish out her eligibility in a Mocs uniform. The coaching staff, her teammates, and the city she now calls home all played as deciding factors.
 
"Leaving [family] is the hardest thing."
 
Knowing that her family is proud of the work she has accomplished here and knowing that she has the everlasting support behind her, she is able to bring that family-oriented atmosphere from home, to UTC.
 
And when speaking on the expectations for the upcoming 2019-20 season, she focuses on a unique group that continues to come together as one.
 
"We are just different. This group is just different, and I am excited for people to come watch."
 
The team chemistry, her self-engulfed fight, and finally a clean slate of health, drives her to succeed in her final go-around as a fifth year student-athlete this season.
 
No matter the setback, no matter how strong the adversity, NaKeia Burks is a person that never stops fighting. It's inspiring. It's amazing. Among many of things, it's incredible.
 
The strength she brings to her teammates, the university, and everyone who is privileged enough to be around her, can't be measured. We're all grateful to have her back on campus and back on the hardwood.
 
SERIES ARCHIVES
Vol. 1 - Mission First, Family Always
Vol. 2 - Together is Better, Siblings Find New Home in Chattanooga
Vol. 3 - Strength Through Adversity, the NaKeia Burks Story.
 
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