Long-time Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke has passed away
Morgan Burke, Purdue's athletic director from 1993-2017, passed away suddenly Monday morning. He was 68.
The Boilermaker alumnus and 1973 graduate had just retired from Purdue four summers ago following a tenure of more than two decades highlighted by the hirings of Purdue's all-time-winningest football coach, Joe Tiller, and the transition from Purdue's all-time-winningest basketball coach, Gene Keady, to the highly successful Matt Painter Era, among other positive achievements.
Under Burke's direction, Purdue's athletic facilities were transformed, notably the grand-scale renovations of Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena and total overhauls of the university's golf, swimming and diving and tennis facilities, among others. The Morgan J. Burke Aquatics Center, opened in 2001, bears his name.
During Burke's run at Purdue, women's basketball and women's golf won NCAA titles, men's basketball won three consecutive Big Ten titles from 1994-96 and football appeared in 10 bowl games in a dozen years under Tiller. The success of current coaches such as Painter and volleyball's Dave Shondell continue to reflect well on Burke's reign.
Additionally, Burke fostered an environment at Purdue of academic achievement, NCAA compliance, gender equity and fiscal responsibility.
He returned to his alma mater in 1993 after nearly two decades with Inland Steel In Northwest Indiana.
One of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the country during his later years at Purdue, Burke was often a leading voice on issues pertaining to NCAA sports and a university fixture under presidents Steven Beering, Martin Jischke, France Cordova and Mitch Daniels.
Upon his retirement in 2017, Burke was succeeded by Mike Bobinski. Recently, Burke was working on various university projects including the Purdue Global initiative.
Burke is survived by his wife, Kate, and grown children Joyce, Morgan Jr. and Patrick — all Purdue graduates — and their families.
More to come ...
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