Video: Roy-Allan Burch Inducted In Hall Of Fame
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Bermuda Olympic swimmer Roy-Allan Burch reflected on how the life lessons learnt at Springfield College, Massachusetts, helped shape him as a person after being inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame.
Burch, who represented Bermuda at the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing and 2012 in London, was among five of the college’s former athletes inducted last week.
The 36-year-old, who holds several college swimming records, delivered a heartfelt speech at the Induction Dinner and Ceremony at the Flynn Campus Union.
“I lost my mother at the beginning of my senior year in high school and was a bit out of sorts, to say the least,” Burch said.
Video courtesy of Springfield College
“There were a lot of challenges and different things that we didn’t have access to in terms of mental health that I probably could have taken advantage of at that time to try and cross the bridge during that process.
“In the middle of July that summer I got a call from John Taffe [associate professor of physical education], and I can’t say I remember a whole lot about that conversation other than that he was giving me an opportunity to continue as a student and as an athlete.
“It means a tremendous amount, especially where I was at that time of my life. It was really important to have that grounding.”
Burch, who retired in 2017, said the college felt like home during a turbulent period in his life and still lives by their “spirit, mind, and body” mantra.
“When I got here, I had a place where I could continue to practice and continue to get my education, and I also met my wife here, Lauren, which was also wonderful,” he added.
“Among the things that I learned here is what it means to see things through and continue to give your best effort despite the difficulty.
“Only after being here for a few years, I became a father, and John got to enjoy my daughter coming on tech at different times when I needed to get some practice in!
“I’m very thankful to you all for honouring me. I probably don’t admit how important it was for me to be part of this institution and have a place to call home.”
The other inductees were Alesia Bennett [Vaccari] [volleyball], Steve Headley [athletics], AJ Nally [volleyball] and Moira Price [swimming].
More than 200 athletes have been inducted into the Springfield College Hall of Fame since it was established in 1972 to honour outstanding achievements on the playing field or for service, dedication, and commitment to athletics, sport and related programmes.
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Huge Congratulations To You Roy-Allan and Your ‘Village’
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. Booker T. Washington
The Quote “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” definitely applies to you.
Much Blessings to you and family..