In memoriam: Tom Burek

In memoriam: Tom Burek: Fighting Scots coach Tom Burek died Dec. 12 of complications of COVID-19. He was 62. Burek was the second-longest serving head swim coach in Monmouth history, coaching from 2013 through last season. Assistant coach Erin Willhite Lafary ’15, who swam for Burek as a Monmouth student, said her former coach had a profound impact on those with whom he worked. “Coach Burek had a huge heart for all of his swimmers,” she said. “His laugh and smile were contagious and always turned frowns quickly to smiles. You always knew where Coach was on a pool deck full of swimmers, because you could spot his bright yellow Crocs. Better yet, you could hear him say his well-known ‘Goggle up!’ from miles away.”