#Giants hire Hannah Burnett as team’s first full-time female scout

The 25-year-old Long Island native was hired Thursday as the first female full-time scout in the 95-year history of the Giants. She will handle the Midlands area.

“I try not to think about that,” Burnett told Giants.com. “I completely understand and am aware that this is an awesome opportunity, and it’s important for females in the league. But I’ve said this from the get-go: I just want to go in there like everyone else goes in there and go about my business like a pro. Everything will work itself out if I go about my business the right way.”

Burnett interviewed via Zoom with top-level executives, including general manager Dave Gettleman and director of college scouting Chris Pettit, over the course of two days. She was a three-sport standout at Huntington High School and all-conference in lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts.

“To be able to be part of a team again that’s working toward one common goal is what I’ve been doing my whole life,” she said. “It’s helped me transition into the NFL.”

After graduation with a degree in sports management, Burnett spent four months as a player personnel assistant in the NFL office and most recently worked in scouting for the Falcons — liaising between players, agents and colleges while watching tape and attending pro days, bowl games and the combine.

Burnett was not available for comment beyond her remarks in a press release.

“The only thing I care about is for us to win the Super Bowl,” Burnett said. “Our main goal as a team is to win a Super Bowl. That’s my goal. That’s everybody’s goal.”

The Giants announced a series of other moves, including Ty Siam’s promotion to director of football data and innovation. Siam, who earned Gettleman’s frequent praise during this unusual pandemic-restricted offseason and was at the GM’s house during the draft, is one of the top analytics minds in the organization.

In another analytics move, the Giants hired football data analyst Courtney Kennedy, 23, after she spent last season as an intern.

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Dr. Lani Lawrence filled a newly created position as director of wellness and clinical services as well as overseeing player engagement and development. Longtime employee Ed Triggs was promoted to director of football operations, Marquis Pendleton became an area scout, and Blaise Bell replaced Pendleton as the team’s BLESTO (national scouting service shared by all 32 teams) scout.

Craig Fitzgerald is the director of strength and performance, assisted by Sam Coad. Nick Williams will serve as an offensive assistant on the coaching staff.

“This has been a difficult several months for everybody, not just for those of us in sport,” Gettleman told Giants.com. “As unusual as these times have been, we need to continue to be progressive so the New York Giants can ultimately be what we and our fans envision.

“We are very excited about what we have been able to accomplish. With these changes and additions, we continue to position ourselves for the future.”