By Joe Chapman
FORMER champion middle-distance athlete and two-time Olympian Marian Joan Burnett is satisfied that she has committed to helping athletes realise their dreams with the necessary opportunities to try out for colleges and universities in the United States of America. Back home on vacation the current LSU resident employee who has represented Guyana at all the major international track and field meets globally is giving back to the sport which has allowed her a future of which she is proud.
Burnett noted: “In retrospect I have no regrets taking up athletics, this is a blessing. Academics gave me everything I got. I got my US residency, citizenship and I am also grateful for all those who played a part in my life. The main person is Mr Bertram Hamilton now deceased, and of course my parents. I had a lot of friends who supported me and the university was also there on to this day.” Burnett attended Essex County College (ECC), Newark, New Jersey and gained an Associate’s degree of Science, June, 2001, Major in Physical Education and Science, then entered the Louisiana State University where she gained a Bachelor of General Studies, May, 2004, minoring in Social Work and Communication Studies.
Then she gained the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Bachelor of Science, Sociology in December, 2004 concentration in criminology and the Louisiana State University (LSU) Baton Rouge, LA CRLA Curriculum, Cox Communications Academic Center for Student Athletes, August , 2009 College Reading and Learning Association.

She is a tutor at the LSU and remarked: “I would go to the school and talk to students of how important it is to stay in school. And my duty right now is that I am helping Guyanese athletes even from Barbados and other athletes from Nigeria. It does not matter where you come from, if you give me a call and you have the grades and the time, I reach out to coaches and pursue to get a scholarship for you.” She had also say in effecting another Linden athlete to attend a college in the United States in Deshanna Skeete recently. Burnett reported, “My first Guyanese athlete to obtain a scholarship was Andrea Foster in 2017, the daughter of Alesha Fortune, who came to America and graduated from Clemson University in January 2021 and is now seeking a contract.” She feels satisfied as she operates in the background and continues to press for opportunities. Burnett related that “my second athlete to benefit from my contacts is Chantoba Bright in 2018 to El Paso and she is now at Kansas State University and competing and doing well academically.

Then there is Daniel Williams in 2019, who is at Hinds University and should be graduating in December and moving on to Clemson University, and that is the goal. ” Burnett also disclosed: “There is a young female athlete from Berbice named Devante Jackson who is preparing to leave for Lincoln University in August and next in line is Ashanti George, who is preparing as she has her I 20 and is awaiting a visa to allow her to travel to Lincoln University,” It is known that recently Deshanna Skeete received a scholarship to go to New Mexico College in Texas where she will spend two years then continue at another university. Others on the radar for Burnett are “Deon Roberts of Georgetown who is a sprinter and who should be going to Hinds Junior College in August. We are still working on the paper work. I am trying to get Zavia Tyler, a distance runner, so I am still working the process and then there is Annalisa Barclay a junior from Linden, I had two offers for her but they were not giving her the full scholarship. But I don’t get partial scholarship for my students because I figure their parents cannot afford it. Even the kids that I have over there, I mentor with them to ensure they do their school work and on the track. I check in with them and if they need any assistance I give it to them. I also have just got a full scholarship for Okenko Peters, son of former national athlete Nyota Peters.”

No cash for athletes
On a serious note Burnett warned about athletes who compete and receive cash awards saying it can affect their chances of gaining scholarships, particularly at American Colleges and Universities. She cautioned, “When you are trying to make it to the next level you cannot be competing and taking cash. If you take cash it is going to be a problem and there is nothing I can do about that. You can’t be a professional and be a student athlete, that is not how it works.” Even those athletes who are not associated with her, but who come to the United States on scholarships, Burnett says she gives them a helping hand where possible: “I know how difficult it is for athletes with talent and academics who want to make it in life. I cannot sit and see a kid fall by the wayside like that. I want to help people. I don’t want to gain anything, but just want to see Guyana out there and give as much support as possible that I can give them. I am not gaining anything but when they are successful I would be happy.”

According to Burnett, “Guyana needs to put much more emphasis in their athletes, they need more support and can be on the map just like Jamaica and other countries. But they need financial assistance and nutrition which costs money and they have got to eat properly”, she said
Reflecting on where she gets the urge to see how best to help promising athletes. Burnett reasoned: “I am a mentor to all these athletes and they can call me anytime and ask a question. I love to help people because people helped me along the way. I remember when I got a scholarship and my mom could not afford it, so most of the time I try to get full scholarships for these students because I know how difficult it can be.
When the athletes are offered cash it could be in a voucher form, or put it in a fund in their parents’ name, but not let anything go to them directly and avoid the publicity.”