LYNNFIELD — The search for a new athletic director at Lynnfield High School is over.

Steven Burndrett, whose most recent position was as the athletic director at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, is officially scheduled to begin his duties Aug. 18.

Burndrett said that while the enrollment at LHS is significantly smaller than Minnechaug, he was drawn to the similarities between the two schools.

“I found that the academics and athletics were so similar with both schools having an athletics participation rate of about 75-80 percent,” Burndrett said. “That’s what really threw me into Lynnfield as I was coming from a school with the same emphasis, performance level, and interest in both sports and academics. I believe that sports are such a healthy avenue for students as they offer such a positive outlook and experience, so it was an easy buy-in at Lynnfield.

“When I saw the Lynnfield posting, I felt super lucky because it fit what I was looking for. My goal is to build a strong network and relationship in the community, so my first goal is to get comfortable and get the parents to know me and how I operate. I am willing and want to listen to be able to give everyone the best experience.”

Burndrett is a 2012 graduate of Westfield State University, where he played on the baseball team and earned an undergraduate degree in business administration and a Master of Public Policy and Civics Engagement. A graduate of Westford Academy, Burndrett and the other members of the Ghosts’ 2003 state Div. 2 finalist baseball team were inducted into the Westford Academy Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.

Burndrett is certified by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administration as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA). He currently serves on the MIAA Golf Committee as a Div. 1 representative and is vice chairman of the MIAA Tournament Management Committee, one of three committees charged with overseeing all sports committees. He has served as a head coach for a club/travel baseball team at Complex Sports Plex in East Longmeadow since 2024.

He coached baseball for one year at Merrimack College and also at Westfield, while working toward his master’s degree. He served as athletic director, baseball coach, and behavioral support specialist at East Windsor High School in Connecticut from 2017-2022 before moving on to Minnechaug.

Burndrett hopes to take an active role helping Lynnfield student-athletes continue their playing careers in college.

“I love coaching. My original goal was to be a college coach and I feel that playing sports in college is so rewarding and I want to work with kids to help them navigate the process so they can find the right schools that best meet their needs,” Burndrett said. “I want the community to trust me to get that right, especially because recruiting is so crazy. I will always put the kids and parents first.”

Lynnfield High Principal Patricia Puglisi said 58 people applied for the position. A search committee consisting of two students, two parents, the athletic trainer, two coaches, and two administrators interviewed nine candidates before whittling the list down to two finalists, who were interviewed by her and Superintendent Tom Geary.

“We were pleased to have broad interest in the athletic director position at LHS,” Puglisi said in a statement mailed to students and families, staff and coaches. “Mr. Burndrett rose quickly to being a top candidate due to his enthusiasm and knowledge of the requirements of the position. I am certain he is going to make strong connections with our student-athletes.”

Burndrett said, while he didn’t know much about Lynnfield until he started doing some research, he knew he was pursuing the right position.

“For me, while I didn’t know a ton, what really excited me started with the interview committee,” he said. “I felt very comfortable and really enjoyed meeting them. I had had other interviews, but they didn’t feel right. This one did. Everything just fell into place. I know I have a whole lot to do and have to prove myself, but am excited to begin the process. At the end of the day, it’s all about the kids and their families and I can’t wait to meet them.”

Burndrett has already met with coaches and will continue to do so throughout August.

“Mr. Burndrett is looking forward to meeting all of our student-athletes and families,” Puglisi said. “We are excited to begin the fall athletic season under his direction.”