Point Park's Michelle Burns finds balance, success on and off basketball court

Point Park fifth-year point guard Michelle Burns continues to climb the program’s scoring ranks, which might seem like hard work to some.

Not to Burns.

Crunching numbers in an office, now that is work to the Hempfield alum.

Burns, who recently topped the 1,700-point mark for her career to move into third place on the Pioneers’ all-time list, works 40-plus hours a week for an accounting firm.

Oh, and she is still in school earning her master’s degree.

She gets a weekly window from 2 to 4 p.m. to attend practices and manages to make it to all of the games.

The team thanks her for that.

Burns said there were three things she has “realized” in recent months that have allowed her to find balance.

The first is a motivated mental approach, the second is a support system and the third is time to unwind.

“There have been so many days where I don’t think I can manage it all, and my body is physically drained (especially with all of our travel) but I pushed my mind to believe I could,” Burns said, referencing road trips. The whole mind over matter concept couldn’t be more applicable for me.

”My family, friends, coaches and teammates are absolutely incredible, and I owe them everything. … Those people have always been in my corner and have been willing and wanting to listen or give me an extra push whenever I needed it. Coming to practice everyday and just seeing my teammates made this season so worth it. They put such a smile on my face every day. Genuinely great girls. The same goes with coach (Tony) Grenek. He’s truly one of my favorite humans.”

As for the well-earned down time, Burns said, “My life usually consists of some sort of work and I’m almost always on the go, but I quickly found out that having time to yourself to wind down and just enjoy life is vital. I found how having just a little bit of down time can make all the difference, whether that be going to dinner with a friend or watching something on Netflix for an hour, those things are necessary.”

Point Park is 13-6 overall and 6-4 in the River States Conference. The Pioneers have won four straight.

Burns has been the face of the franchise for what seems like forever.

“Point Park University should build a statue of her and put it in the middle of our campus,” Grenek said. “Her athletic achievements are Hall of Fame worthy, but she is even a greater student and human being. Our team success of winning or losing depends on the play of Michelle Burns, and she has always been able to handle the pressure. Working, hooping at a high level and getting her MBA are difficult tasks, but she succeeds at all levels. She is just an amazing kid.”

Burns (18.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game) is Point Park’s all-time leader in 3-pointers and assists.

Burns is not alone. Another grad student who balances work and play, play and work, is 6-foot-3 center Carly Lutz.

She is a special education teacher at Baldwin, a district from which she is an alum.

“She is unable to practice during the week and only plays home games during the week,” Grenek said. “She only practices on weekends and is able to play games on weekends.”

The extra year afforded to college players because of the covid-19 surge that wiped out the 2020 college sports calendar has given Grenek a chance to spend more time with two key players.

Burns and Lutz are 4.0 students, Grenek said. Lutz plays 18.8 minutes a game and averages 7.1 rebounds.

“Carly is the ultimate educator,” Grenek said. “She thrives helping others, and she always talks about how she loves her students that she teaches. From a basketball standpoint, she is always helping our team in any way she can. She has always understood her role, so she helps the younger players to learn their roles and to accept their roles as well. Our team respects her so much because she is so selfless and experienced. Her words probably mean more to the team than mine.”