R. Gerald Burke

A 1965 graduate, Gerald Burke was a four-year letterman and three-time co-captain of the Emory & Henry men’s basketball team.  He led the Wasps in scoring for all four seasons, averaging between 15-18 points per game.  His career points totaled 1,235, and his career scoring average was 16.5.

After graduating, Burke coached basketball at Brunswick High School in Lawrenceville, Virginia for 24 years.  His career wins and losses record at Brunswick was 415-111.  He took the team to two state championships – one in 1987 when the team went 27-0 and again in 1988 when the team went 28-2.  His team was also a two-time state runner-up.  Under Burke’s direction, the Brunswick basketball team also won five regional championships and 14 consecutive district championships.

Burke was Virginia State Coach of the Year in 1987, a VHSL All-Star Coach six times, and he was the McDonald’s All-Star Class Host coach for two seasons and assistant coach for a third season.   He was inducted into the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame in 2002.  Among his claims to fame is the fact that he coached Bryant Stith, an All-American at the University of Virginia who went on to play in the NBA.

Burke also served as principal of Brunswick High School, a position from which he retired in 2007 after 41 years serving in various teaching, coaching, and administrative capacities in the Brunswick County School System.