Kendall Burks
Stadium High School/California State University & University of Washington
2022 Soccer
 
The 11th overall pick in January’s 2022 Major League Soccer SuperDraft, Kendall Burks’ soccer career has taken him from the Stadium High School pitch to college stardom and a spot at Soldier Field.
 
Born in Federal Way on Oct. 8, 1999, Burks grew up playing for Washington Premier FC. At Stadium, he was a three-time first-team all-league honoree while also garnering first-team all-region and second-team All-America honors. He began his collegiate career at California State University, Bakersfield, where he played every minute as a freshman and made the All-WAC Freshman Team.
 
After two years in California, Burks returned home to play for University of Washington, where he started 22 matches and helped the Huskies reach the NCAA National Championship in 2021. He has twice earned second-team All-PAC 12 recognition and one time was named second-team all-region.
 
The Chicago Fire FC selected the 6-foot-1-inch defender in January while he was on trial playing for Nottingham Forest in the English Championship. In February, the club signed Burks to a first team contract, and he is now under contract through the 2023 season with club options for the following two years.
 
“Kendall is a talented  young player who we believe has the tools to compete for playing time in multiple positions during his rookie season,” Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Hetiz said. “We’re very pleased that he has decided to begin his professional career in Chicago, despite having options to play overseas, and look forward to seeing his continued growth within our environment.”
 
 
 
2022 Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients