Burke, John

John graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1968 and as a member of the Fighting Irish football team was part of their legendary 24-game winning streak. He played quarterback and was a three year letterman and also lettered in tennis for four years, two as captain, and two years in basketball.

After graduation from St. Mary’s, John accepted a football scholarship to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he was a four-year letterman and two-year starter at quarterback. John also was a two-year tennis starter at Wartburg.

Upon graduating from Wartburg in 1972, John embarked on an outstanding coaching career in football. His coaching resume includes twenty years as a Head High School varsity coach and seven years as an Assistant coach at the High School or Collegiate levels. He specialized in taking over unsuccessful programs and turning

them into playoff contenders.

In Colorado, John coached four different schools teams to the state playoffs after they had never previously qualified. John’s teams won 128 high school football games, highlighted by the 1981 Windsor High School (Colorado) Wizards who went 13-1 and won the state championship. He was named league or division coach of the year four years and was named Colorado State Coach of the Year in 1981. John was twice selected to coach in the Colorado State All-Star Football game. He was also named Outstanding Teacher in 1994.

John eventually moved to Arizona and continued to win with previously unsuccessful teams, guiding three more high school football teams to the state playoffs. When John left coaching for administration, he was equally successful, influencing many young coaches as an assistant principal and athletic director. He has been recognized as an outstanding organizer and educational leader.

John retired from education in 2002, but has continued to be very active in high school and collegiate athletics. He is one of nineteen NIKE Coach-of-the Year national clinic directors and has directed clinics in both Las Vegas and Denver. John is also the Executive Director of the Colorado High School Coaches’ Association, an organization that represents every sport at every school in the Colorado State Association. Finally, John is on the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame.

John and his wife, Shelly reside in Glendale, Arizona and they have two daughters, Stephanie and Summer. He remains very active as a motivational speaker at various coaches clinics and summer camps, in addition to his executive responsibilities.