Lawrence P. “Pat” Burns

Lawrence Patrick “Pat” Burns played guard for the Emory & Henry men’s basketball team from 1967-70.  He was inducted into the E&H Sports Hall of Fame for his outstanding career, during which he established a number of school scoring records.

During his junior year, Burns broke three scoring records for single game scoring 20 field goals, 12 free throws, and 45 points.  As a captain in his senior year, he broke two of his own records, hitting 16 free throws in one game and scoring 53 points in another.  That year he was selected to the Second-Team All-Conference.

After graduating from Emory & Henry, Burns pursued a career in teaching and coaching.  He coached basketball at George Wythe High School from 1975-86, leading the team to three regional titles in his last three seasons.  He then served as athletic director at Eastern Montgomery High School for a number of years before retiring and moving back to Wytheville, where he was urged by community members to again take the helm of the boys’ basketball program at George Wythe High School.