SMSU Athletics Hall of Honor
Amanda (Burkhart) Sulzman (2006-09) was a four-year letter winner for the Mustang softball team and closed her career as not only one of the most prolific hitters in program history, but also one of the winningest players to ever wear the brown and gold.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Burkhart made a big impact on the program during her freshman season in 2006, tying for the team lead in RBIs with 35, while ranking second with seven home runs. She helped the team earn a school record 41 victories, including a perfect 14-0 record in NSIC play, and securing the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament berth.
As a sophomore, SMSU finished 38-13, winning both the 2007 NSIC regular season and tournament championship titles, while earning a third-place finish at the NCAA Region Tournament. Burkhart started all 51 games and was named to the NSIC All-Tournament team.
Burkhart had a monster season in 2008, leading the Mustangs in batting average (.354), doubles (13) and RBIs (44), while ranking second in home runs (6). She was named All-NSIC first team helping the Mustangs to an NSIC regular season championship and another trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Burkhart came through with an even bigger season in 2009, closing her career with record-breaking numbers and major individual accolades. She set SMSU single-season records in home runs (18), RBIs (57) and total bases (123), while leading the club with a .367 batting average. SMSU won its fourth straight NSIC championship and played in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. For her efforts, she was named the NSIC and Daktronics NCAA Central Region Player of the Year, while earning Daktronics NCAA All-American first team and NFCA All-American third team honors.
Burkhart finished her career batting .325, while ranking first in school history in home runs (34), doubles (42) and RBIs (160), and second in games played (210). SMSU finished a combined 150-60 during her career.
