A Driven Competitor, A Passionate Leader: A Look into Sarah Burgum's Journey at U of M Crookston
Written by Emmah Burnes -
Growing up in Mandan, North Dakota, Sarah Burgum was always on the go. Whether it was backyard competitions with her twin brother or soccer practice at the YMCA, she developed a drive for competition early on. That passion led her to the University of Minnesota Crookston, where she now balances a packed schedule as a third-year soccer student-athlete, leader, and aspiring occupational therapist.
“Crookston feels like a second home,” Burgum states. “People are very friendly, very conversational, and you can tell that this is just a good environment to be a part of.”
For Burgum, soccer has always been more than just a game. Starting at the age of four, she found joy in the sport’s atmosphere.
“I’ve always had fun with it, but it was also something I was really competitive at,” she shares.
But her journey has not been without setbacks. During her senior year of high school, she suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury in her knee which forced her to miss the final soccer season.
“Those nine months really sucked,” Burgum admits. “I went through a long period of denial because I didn’t want to accept that I couldn’t play.”
But just six days before heading to U of M Crookston for soccer preseason, she was cleared to play again - a sense of relief to finally get back in the game.
Beyond the soccer field, Burgum has played a significant role in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Her coach encouraged her to join during her freshman year, and she quickly became passionate about SAAC’s mission. She has now been elected vice president and will become president in the upcoming school year.
“Making people aware of different issues and bringing people toward a common goal is something really special,” she explains. “There’s something powerful about student-athletes coming together to build a deeper sense of culture.”
She has played an important role in impactful initiatives like the Green Bandana Project, which promotes mental health awareness, and the “One Love on Us” campaign, which fosters conversations about healthy relationships.
“The One Love on Us campaign is about raising awareness about romantic, friendships, and professional relationships, which are conversations that we don’t always have enough of,” Burgum describes.
She’s also a part of organizing the Regal’s Choice Awards on campus, an event celebrating student-athletes’ achievements.
“It’s really awesome to put together an event like that where we can celebrate all the good things happening in athletics,” she states.
Currently, Burgum is looking forward to leading initiatives related to her major like “Exercise is Medicine,” aimed at encouraging movement for overall well-being.
“Exercise can help a person in so many ways; physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially,” she outlines. “I’d love to bring something like that to (U of M) Crookston.”
Burgum recently had the opportunity to attend the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was selected as one of three student-athletes representing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and spent four days participating in leadership training and deep discussions about the student-athlete experience.
“It was an incredible experience to connect with athletes from Division I, II, and III schools across the country,” Burgum shared. “We had really meaningful conversations about the challenges we face on our campuses and how we can be better leaders, not just for our teams, but for our futures.”
The biggest takeaway for her? Learning how to be a vulnerable leader.
“Being strong and respected is important, but so is being human,” she said. “Everyone is going through something, and it’s important to recognize that and support each other.”
Family is everything to Burgum and athleticism runs in their genes, though in different ways. Her twin brother plays baseball at the University of Mary, and the two have always shared a competitive bond.
“For as long as I can remember, we were always racing to the car or battling in some sort of sport in the backyard,” Burgum stated.
Their parents, who are incredibly supportive and selfless, attend nearly every game and make sacrifices to be there for both of them.
“They are two of the most caring and hardworking people I know - I’m so lucky to have them,” she explained.
Her grandparents are just as involved, keeping statistics of everything they do: sports, academics, and music.
“They come to everything that they can and always want to hear about our sports,” Burgum shared.
With senior year approaching, Burgum is excited for a new chapter with U of M Crookston soccer under a new head coach.
“It’s the start of a new era, and I’m looking forward to making the most of every moment,” she says.
After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school for occupational therapy with a particular interest in pediatrics. Eventually, she dreams of opening her own clinic. Her experiences overcoming injuries, leading student-athlete initiatives, and stepping outside her comfort zone have shaped her into the resilient leader she is today.
