Peter Tasker Named AD
February 9, 2010
Dear Burroughs Community,
I am pleased to announce that Peter Tasker will assume the helm of our physical education and athletics department, effective July 1. I am confident he will follow in the footsteps of Burroughs’ great athletic leaders – Lemen, Small, Keefer, McConnell, Haertter, Staten and Leland – because Peter brings what I believe his predecessors did: a deep understanding and care for students and our school.
Peter joined the Burroughs faculty six years ago. He is a member of the math and modern languages departments, one of only a handful to teach across disciplines. He became the head coach of girls’ varsity lacrosse in the 2005-2006 school year. Within one year, he was named the Missouri State Lacrosse Coach of the Year for his statewide contributions to the sport, and, within three years, he elevated the Bomber squad to state champions. Not one to just nurture the champs, Peter has also extended lacrosse offerings to boys and younger girls as well.
In our national search for Jim Lemen’s successor, we were very fortunate to attract an exceptional field of candidates. From more than 70 applications, we identified six, each of whom claimed a distinguished career and strong vision. Each spent a full day on campus meeting, on average, with more than six dozen members of our community – students, parents, alumni, administrators, teachers and coaches. To be honest, each of the candidates received high praise and enthusiasm, but the reactions to Peter were simply on an altogether different level.
As one student wrote,
He gets his students and his team excited and passionate about what they are doing and has the keen ability to unite an otherwise unrelated group of students into a full-functioning, highly motivated, disciplined, cohesive unit. Mr. Tasker has always emphasized the "212 degrees" principle: the idea that at 211 degrees, water is just hot, but if you give it just one more degree and up it to 212, it turns into steam, something which has the strength to power a locomotive or light up a city. I think Mr. Tasker approaches everything he does with a 212 mentality, creating an overall better experience for everyone involved and inspiring them to do the same.
After receiving an undergraduate degree in economics from Colorado College, Peter taught and coached at the Taft School in Watertown, CT, and then as a member of the Peace Corps in Western Samoa.
He obtained a master’s degree in international development from the University of Pennsylvania and returned to teaching and coaching, most recently at Lake Forest Academy (IL).
In addition to his experience in education, Peter has a strong business background which should serve him – and us – well. As AD, he will inherit a staff of more than four dozen, who coach almost as many teams and teach seventh and eighth grade physical education. He will oversee the largest department budget (larger by more than two-fold) as well as future additions and improvements to our athletic facilities.
Peter is many things. He is a teacher, coach, student, athlete, businessman, humanitarian. He knows the value of relationships and has a passion for building them.
Peter is a known entity, not in the comfortable “old shoe” sense but in the proven sense. He is respected by our student body. He does not ask of his students and athletes what he does not ask of himself. He appreciates the full Burroughs experience and the important role that athletics plays here. (Click HERE for Peter's philosophy statement.)
One noteworthy change to the position of athletic director: Before the interview process began, I concluded that it would be to the school’s advantage for the next athletic director to live on campus in order to be a full-time, visible presence in our community. This summer the Taskers will move into the Stein house, our rental property off Price Road.
Please join me in congratulating Peter on this new and important position for him at Burroughs, a position to which I know he will bring 212 degrees! And please welcome his family, Holly, Beckett (6) and Rosalie (3).
Sincerely,
Andy Abbott
