Miami-Dade Honors Former Redland Middle School Coach

Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee and the Miami-Dade County Parks Department held an event to rename Southridge Park to Coach Sam Burley Park. Burley was a longtime athletic coach, Southridge High School teacher, and community leader.

The event was held at the newly named park, located at 11250 SW 192 Street, Miami, FL, and included Burley, who addressed a crowd of family, friends, Southridge High School students and faculty, and community leaders and dignitaries, according to Caridad Mesa, spokesperson for Miami-Dade.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate an extraordinary individual whose influence extends far beyond the playing field,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Renaming this park after Coach Sam Burley is a heartfelt tribute to a leader who has dedicated his life to shaping the future of our youth. His commitment to excellence in sports and education has inspired generations, and his Hall of Fame Invitational Track and Field Meet showcases his incredible talent within our community.”

Burley’s coaching career began in 1972 at Redland Jr. High School, where he led his cross-country and track and field teams to numerous county championships. At Miami Southridge Senior High, Coach Burley further cemented his legacy, guiding his teams to six state championships and shaping countless lives through mentorship.

“Coach Sam Burley is renowned in this community for his years of service to the youth through sports and through his nonprofit, The Coach Sam Burley Foundation,” said McGhee. “That is why I was honored to sponsor the resolution to rename Southridge Park to Coach Sam Burley Park, for his decades-long career coaching kids right here at this park and next door at Southridge Senior High School.”

Coach Sam Burley Park is a 20-acre, area-wide park with several amenities, including a 3,000-seat stadium with a synthetic running track, a playground, and a multi-purpose field, according to Mesa.