Burke, Michael

 

Michael Burke – (2007)

 

Mike Burke was a versatile multi-sport athlete while attending Lorain St. Mary and then the newly-opened Lorain Catholic High School. He was a two year starter in both football and basketball and was basketball co-captain as a Senior. Mike also excelled at tennis where he was a four year starter with a senior year record of 26-1 and a career record 72 wins and 11 losses. He was Lorain Catholic’s first Academic – Athlete Award winner in 1970. Burke was dominant in amateur tennis play. He was eight-time Lorain City champion, including five wins in the Father-Son Doubles competition with his father Bill Burke.

Mike continued his tennis career at Defiance College where he was outstanding. He was a four year starter, elected team captain in his senior year, was a two-time collegiate league champion and remains the only two-time collegiate NAIA National Qualifier in Defiance College tennis history.

After graduating from Defiance College in 1974, Burke embarked on a long time coaching career at Napoleon High School that covered several sports. He coached football for nineteen years, including five years as head coach, and girls basketball for nine years with four years as head coach.

Tennis however was the sport where is made his mark. He coached the boys team for 32 seasons and the girls team for 13 seasons to a combined record of 617 victories against 205 losses. During this period Napoleon High School qualified twenty-four players to the Ohio High School State Tennis Tournament. Mike’s achievements have been recognized as he was inducted into the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999 and is the only tennis player in the Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mike also displayed excellence in the classroom. He was a three-time National Collegiate Speech qualifier at Defiance College. In recognition of his 30 year tenure as an outstanding speech coach at Napoleon High School, he was inducted in 2005 into the Ohio High School Speech League Hall of Fame.

Burke received a Bachelors Degree in Comprehensive Language Arts Education from Defiance College and a Master’s Degree in Communication – Public Address from Eastern Michigan University.

Mike retired from teaching in 2005 and is Founder and President of The Vocal Point, a motivational and educational speech organization located in Defiance, Ohio and The Villages, Florida. He has authored tennis coaching articles and a speech teaching text, however his latest book project, released in February, is titled “…and if Duffy should appear…” a memoir about growing up and participating in athletics at St. Mary’s and Lorain Catholic.

Mike and his wife, Jane, have two grown sons and maintain homes in Defiance, Ohio and The Villages, Florida.

*WELCOME, MICHAEL BURKE, INTO THE LORAIN SPORTS HALL OF FAME*