NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Norwich University's rifle team has quickly reestablished itself as a force in collegiate shooting since its reinstatement as a varsity program in 2022.  One of the key contributors that resurgence is Aiden Burris '26, who has balanced the demands of being a student-athlete with a rigorous academic schedule and military aspirations.

Burris, a junior from Marietta, Ga., first arrived at Norwich on an Army scholarship but quickly found another opportunity that intrigued him: being part of the newly revived rifle program.

"I came to Norwich on an Army scholarship and heard that Norwich was bringing back the NCAA Rifle team after a 20-year hiatus," Burris said.  "I competed on my varsity rifle team for three years in high school and knew I wanted to continue shooting and do it at the collegiate level."

Competing at the Division III level has given Burris a unique perspective on personal growth, commitment, and resilience.

"Being a Division III student-athlete allows me to reflect on the accomplishments and hardships I have experienced, because I have balanced rigorous academics with the demands of being on a collegiate sports team for three years.  Overall, I am grateful for the lessons being a student-athlete has taught me."

Burris, an electrical and computer engineering major, also pursues a commission in the Army, making time management a critical skill.

"I have always been able to develop effective plans that allow me to balance academics, athletics, and other interests, however it is far from easy," he explained.  "I study electrical and computer engineering, compete during the fall and winter seasons, and pursue a commission in the Army, so I have to do a lot.  I balance these efforts by not being surprised by the things I must do, and I make some sort of weekly plan I know I can accomplish to check off all boxes."

For Burris, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a Norwich student-athlete is the ability to momentarily step away from academics and focus entirely on his sport.

"The most rewarding part of my Norwich athletic experience was the breaks from school," he said.  "I find it enjoyable to separate myself from school and be able to focus on shooting competitively and sharing these experiences with my team and coaches."

The mentorship and leadership provided by Norwich's coaching staff have also played a significant role in his growth.

"My coaches have been a major influence on my experiences as a student-athlete at Norwich.  Since freshman year, they have paved the way for my success and guided me through the positives and negatives of any endeavors necessary for mentorship," Burris shared.  "They contribute more to the team than a typical coach does, because they foster excellence in each athlete based on their specific needs.  As for my teammates, I feel we have proved to Norwich on why the campus should have a rifle team because it is an understatement to say that we have excelled past the school's and community's expectations about the team's success."

Burris and his teammates recently wrapped up their 2024-25 season at the Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference (MAC) Championships, where the team finished third in smallbore and fourth overall.  His individual performance earned him All-MAC Second Team honors for smallbore, and he was also recognized on the All-MAC Academic Team with Scholastic Excellence distinction, the highest academic honor awarded by the conference.

For high school athletes considering Division III athletics, Burris encourages thorough research and self-reflection before making a decision.

"I would advise the student to conduct research into the school's athletic and academic programs, as well as the quality of life they truly want," he said.  "It does not hurt to contact coaches and perhaps even students at colleges and simply ask them what the school is like and how the team's comradery is there.  Overall, accumulate all the information you can about colleges and align them off your wants and needs as a student-athlete."

Burris has embraced the challenges and rewards that come with competing at the Division III level, making the most of his experiences at Norwich.  His ability to balance academics, athletics, and military training exemplifies what it means to be a DIII student-athlete, proving that success is not just about performance but about the dedication and discipline behind it.