Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2013 ... Played in all eight contests, setting a career mark for points with 27 vs. Illinois State and tying her tally for for steals-at-tackle with one in the same contest with the Redbirds... went 6-for-14 in two-point conversions in the same ISU matchup... finished second on the squad for trys, assists, and solo tackles, while owning the top two-point conversion mark... EIU Top 25:  Finished with 52 total solo tackles to place in the Top 25 for single-season numbers... career-wise, she sits No. 5 for all-time conversions with 28... No. 8 for solo tackles with 149 total and No. 16 in assisted stops with 41.. her 126 all-time points ranks No. 14 and her 13 career trys ties for No. 18.

2012 ... Carissa saw action in all eight games as a sophomore... led the squad in assists (22), conversions (21-of-36), and solo tackles (44)... while also ranking second in assisted stops (7) and points (87)... set career highs in six different stat categories, including running in four trys, dishing out eight assts and running over-20 yards four times as EIU routed Kansas State... scored a personal-best 21 points at Lindenwood as EIU picked up a key Rugby 7s victory... went 9-of-15 in two-point conversions in the win at Georgia Tech.

2011 ... Carissa played in all ten contests as a true freshman... dished her first career assist as EIU won the third game versus NCAA DI foe Quinnipiac... registered 10 solo stops in second game of Quinnipiac series as EIU gutted out a nice road victory over the Bobcats, adding her name to the single-game record book in the process... had nine assisted tackles in key win over UNI... also scampered for a run over 20-yards in season finale rout of Purdue.

HIGH SCHOOL ... Played multiple sports for many coaches while at Central A&M HS in Moweaqua... was a classmate of fellow freshman Aly Dial... earned four letters in both basketball and volleyball... three in softball and two for track... team captain in both basketball and volleyball... her honors include being a final three nominee for ESPN Decatur Top 'Female Athlete of the Year'... ESPN Decatur basketball people's choice 'Female Athlete of the Year'... her freshman year the basketball squad finished third in the state... two-time All-Area, including First Team honors as a snior and Conference First Team award as well... All-State recognition by the News-Gazette... competed in the IHSA state 3-point contest while earning area 3-point winner of the year award... in volleyball she was a two-time league honoree, including First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Area as a senior... member of the Honor Roll... also competed on a club rugby squad.

PERSONAL ... No. 1 sports highlight was "during my senior year in basketball, we had an 18-game win streak that included winning the Macon County and Conference Tournament"... credits her grandma, Shirley, for having the biggest influence on her sports career, "because she has always been there to encourage me to work to the best of my ability"... daughter of Scott Burge & Dawn Burge... planning on earning a dual certification for both special education and elementary education while at EIU.

OFF THE PITCH WITH CARISSA ... ‘C-Burge' chose EIU "because of the education program"... feels that some of EIU's advantages over other state schools include "the teaching program here is great, I know alot of teachers that have graduated from EIU"... besides rugby, also enjoys playing basketball, ultimate frisbee and racquetball... credits as one of her hidden talents as being able to "make a mean macaroni & cheese... plus I am able to lick my elbow"... currently driving a 2004 gray Stratus, which she has affectionately named 'Genny'... some of her favorite foods include sushi, steak and cereal, while disliking black olives... one of the worse jobs she's ever had was "walking bean fields"... she can't go anywhere without her glasses or contacts... states that her best vacation memory was when she went white water rafting... her family currently has a Shitzu named Elmo, which she wishes she could bring to campus with her... if she could meet a celebrity (either dead or alive), she would pick Elenore Roosevelt... one of her favorite quotes is "go big or go home"... her personal goal while at EIU is "to get a good education and to find a great job after graduation."