Head coach Stephanie Gaitley announced Sonia Burke as an assistant coach in July 2017. She enters her fourth season in the Bronx. Burke serves as the recruiting coordinator for domestic recruits and works individually with post players, in addition to scouting opponents.
 
"I've known Sonia for a long time during her time at Manhattan," Gaitley said, "She offers a great knowledge of the game and brings a wealth of experience. She is a kind and caring person who will be a great addition to the program and the Fordham community."
 
Burke, a 2001 graduate of Spring Hill College, is no stranger to the Bronx, having spent 13 seasons with Manhattan in various roles, including time as the interim head coach and six seasons prior as the associate head coach. She worked as both the recruiting and defensive coordinator and specifically helped to develop post players. Prior to her stint in Riverdale, Burke was an assistant coach at Saint Francis (PA) during the 2002-03 season in which the Red Flash won the Northeast Conference.
 
As Manhattan's defensive coordinator, Burke was responsible for a unit that set a program record with 140 blocks in 2015-16, including the program single-season records for blocks and steals. Amani Tatum, who accomplished the latter, also became the first Jasper to ever be named MAAC Defensive Player of the Year. Tatum became the 12^th All-MAAC performer that Burke mentored during her time at Manhattan. During the 2010-11 season, the Jaspers ranked third in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 50.9 points per game, while enjoying a school record 24 victories.
 
A native of Barbados, Burke served as captain of the Barbadian national team that captured goal at the 15^th Caribbean Basketball Championships in 2000. At Spring Hill, Burke led the Badgers to the Gulf Coast Conference championship and an appearance in the NAIA Tournament that same year.
 
Burke graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor's degree in management and a minor in managerial accounting, later earning her Master's degree in public administration from Capella University in 2015.