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Handball coach strives for a sense of belonging

With a sideways serve, freshman Garrett Bacon starts another practice match. The handball team practiced in preparation for the USHA 66th Annual Collegiate Championship Tournament being held at Missouri State Feb. 21-25.

Amanda Sullivan/ The Standard

Players sat on the carpeted stairs, surrounded by duffel bags, watching their teammates battle on the enclosed court as they prepared for the handball championship tournament in hopes of repeating last year’s national title.

With 12 National Championships and 46 years of coaching handball, head coach Tommy Burnett was less concerned with winning another title and more focused on giving students something fun to do.