University of Arizona women’s basketball coach Becky Burke has hit back at the hateful anti-gay messages she received since revealing her wife Savannah’s second pregnancy on Instagram.
‘Yesterday, my wife and I shared the news that we are expecting a baby,’ Burke wrote in a statement shared on social media. ‘Unfortunately, the announcement also brought some of the most hateful comments we’ve ever seen. While we knew sharing our lives publicly would come with opinions, it’s been disappointing to see so much negativity directed at what is one of the happiest moments of our lives.’
Already the parents to one son, Becky and Savannah Burke wanted to announce their latest pregnancy because of their natural excitement over the news and to help other gay and lesbian couples to do the same.
‘Let me be VERY clear,’ the 36-year-old former Louisville guard wrote. ‘Our announcement is about something much bigger than us. Representation matters. Visibility matters. As a public figure, I take great pride in representing my community and helping create that visibility.
‘Our announcement is for people who have spent years wondering whether a future like this was possible for them,’ she continued. ‘It’s about showing people in our community that families like ours exist, that they are real, and that they deserve to be celebrated too.’
Burke received an outpouring of support from fans, players and even rival coaches.
Becky Burke (right) and her wife Savannah are expecting their second child in December
Arizona Wildcats head coach Becky Burke went 12-18 in her first season in Tucson
Jon Root, an outspoken Christian now working for Fox News’ conservative sports outlet Outkick, told Burke ‘children deserve a mother and a father,’ but she was quick to respond
Arizona State’s Stephanie Norman, who coached Burke at Louisville, wrote on X: ‘We may be rivals, but she is my player and my friend. She and Savannah are amazing parents!’
But despite the positive response from Burke’s followers, critics continued to accuse the happy couple of somehow failing their children.
One person accused the couple of ‘outright human trafficking’ by having another child, while others claimed Savannah’s pregnancy was ‘an abomination’ that will ‘have horrible consequences for your child.’
Jon Root, an outspoken Christian now working for Fox News’ conservative sports outlet Outkick, told Burke ‘children deserve a mother and a father.’
Burke did not back down, telling the Phoenix-based Root: ‘Well as long as you are in Arizona you’ll be seeing a lot of these 2 moms.’
The couple already has one son and they are expecting their second child this December
Arizona State’s Stephanie Norman, who coached Burke at Louisville, congratulated her pupil
The majority of responses to Burke on social media were overwhelmingly positive
Burke and her partner did receive hateful messages even after her statement on X
Several anonymous X users attacked Burke and her family without revealing their own identity
In her statement, Burke acknowledged it would have been ‘easier to take my post down’ or to ‘be ashamed.’ But, Burke explained, she wants her family and others to live free of such hatred and believes visibility is the best way forward.
‘At the end of the day, this isn’t about politics or proving a point,’ she wrote. ‘My focus will remain where it belongs: on my growing family, our incredible support system and continuing to live authentically.
‘To everyone who has supported us, encouraged us, and shared in our excitement – thank you,’ she concluded. ‘Your kindness has meant more than you know.’
The former head coach at Charleston, USC Upstate and Buffalo, Burke went 12-18 in her first season leading the Wildcats in 2025-26.
