Burr’s Leadership Defines Purdue Fort Wayne Women’s Soccer

Jonathan Turner
Sep 29
2 min read

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Fort Wayne, IN – Since taking the helm of the Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer program in 2014, head coach Jason Burr has cemented himself as a steady leader in the Horizon League and beyond. Now in his second decade guiding the Mastodons, Burr has built a program known for its resilience, academic excellence, and growing competitive stature.

Building a Legacy

Burr, named the fourth head coach in program history, brought a background rooted in both playing and academics. A graduate of Austin Peay in 2001 with a degree in history, he played collegiately at Lindsey Wilson and Mid-Continent before transitioning into coaching. Settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Burr has steadily cultivated a team culture centered on both success and accountability.

His work was recognized in 2022 when he was honored as Horizon League Coach of the Year, a milestone moment that underscored the Mastodons’ upward trajectory under his watch.

On-Field Excellence

During Burr’s tenure, Purdue Fort Wayne has seen players consistently garner individual recognition. Among the standouts:

Samantha Castaneda, named Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022, also earned multiple Defensive Player of the Week nods and United Soccer Coaches All-North Region honors.
Gabrielle Fanning shined as a defensive leader, capturing United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-North/Central Region Second Team honors and multiple All-Horizon League selections.
Rising talents like Malia Velker and Jordan Imes have continued the Mastodons’ tradition of defensive strength, earning league and national recognition.

Since 2021, Burr’s program has produced multiple All-Horizon League First and Second Team performers, while also celebrating weekly honors across both offensive and defensive categories.

Academic Commitment

Beyond the field, Burr’s teams have excelled in the classroom. The Mastodons have earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award in 17 different seasons, a streak stretching back to his early coaching years at previous stops. Players have regularly appeared on the CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District Teams, highlighted by recent honorees like Morgan Gallagher, Jordan Imes, Marisa Metzger, and Bella Reitano in 2024.

In addition, Purdue Fort Wayne athletes under Burr’s leadership have been recognized with the NCAA Division I Public Recognition Award for academic success and honors like the Arthur Ashe Junior Sports Scholar Award.

A Broader Coaching Journey

While his Purdue Fort Wayne chapter stands out, Burr’s impact extends across multiple conferences. His players have earned distinctions in the Summit League, Northern Athletics Conference, Mid-American Conference, and Missouri Valley Conference, showcasing the breadth of his coaching journey and the caliber of talent he has developed.

Looking Ahead

With more than a decade of leadership in Fort Wayne, Burr’s program reflects consistency and growth. The Mastodons continue to balance competitive drive with academic achievement, a dual commitment that has become the hallmark of Burr’s tenure.

As Purdue Fort Wayne navigates the challenges of the Horizon League, one constant remains: Jason Burr’s steady presence on the sideline, guiding the Mastodons forward while continuing to write new chapters in the program’s history.