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BHS Activities Department
400 McCanna Parkway
Burlington, WI 53105
Phone: 262-763-0200
ext. 1135 or 1258
Fax: 262-763-0203 |
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| Wall of Fame |
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Class of 2008
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| Jerry Allen |
| Jerry Allen, class of 1970, participated in football, wrestling, and track during his career at Burlington High School.
According to his coaches Jerry was a gifted "big man". This three-sport athlete had the ability to dominate the line of scrimmage. He was an outstanding offensive and defensive lineman for the Demons whose talents contributed to an amazing 21 game winning streak spanning two and one half years to finish out the 1969 season. Jerry's talents didn't go unnoticed as he was selected as 1st team All-Conference, All-Area, and was also recognized on the Beloit News Stateline Dream Team. Jerry's gifts as a football player made him the first player in Burlington Football to sign a full-ride Division I scholarship. He took his talents to Iowa to play for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Jerry's talents and dominance also carried over onto the wrestling mat. During his wrestling career he maintained an undefeated conference record and was the Southern Lakes Conference heavyweight Champion for the Demons during his junior and senior seasons. His WIAA Sectional Championship in 1970 made him the first BHS wrestler to qualify for the WIAA State Meet. Jerry finished his senior year as team MVP with a record of 29-2.
The shot and discus kept Jerry busy in the spring competing for the track and field team. He was an outstanding weight man for the track team who won many dual meets and invitational competitions. His WIAA Regional titles in 1969 and 1970 allowed him to compete in Sectionals.
The spring of his senior season Jerry was awarded the prestigious BHS Sportsmanship Award. Coach Don Dalton stated, "Jerry Allen possessed many of the fine qualities we look for in an athlete and as an adult. He is a great role model for others. He is the type of person we at BHS can be proud to have as a representative of our school system."
After high school Jerry attended Iowa State majoring in education and playing football for the Cyclones. During his time at Iowa State he had the opportunity to play on a top 20 nationally ranked team. His teams played in the Liberty and Sun Bowls. Jerry graduated in 1976 and took a teaching job at Grayslake High School in Illinois. He continued his education by earning Masters degrees in 1982 and 1992. His colleagues named him Teacher of the Year in 2000. At this time he has just completed 32 years teaching and coaching football and wrestling for Grayslake High School.
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| Donna (Cerwin) Sturdevant |
| Donna (Cerwin) Sturdevant, class of 1984, participated in tennis, basketball, and softball during her career at Burlington High School.
Donna was an 8-time varsity letter winner for the Demons. Her highly competitive nature and talents made her an excellent athlete on the courts and fields for Burlington in the early 1980's. Donna was the 1984 Demon Award winner which is given to the most outstanding student-athlete in the class.
On the tennis court Donna earned 3-varsity letters. As a senior she was named a Southern Lakes All-Conference and All-Area singles player. On the basketball court, Donna made a name for herself by earning 2-varsity letters. Her senior year she led the team in scoring, while finishing 4th in scoring for the Southern Lakes Conference. She still holds the single game scoring record for the Demons with 33 points, which was accomplished without a 3-point line. Her fine senior season was capped off with All-Conference and All-Area recognition and the opportunity to play in the Wisconsin Basketball Associations East-West Basketball All-Star Game.
Donna's fondest memories are from her time on the softball diamond. As a 3-year varsity letter winner she was also a two time State Tournament Qualifier. She helped lead the Demons to the WIAA State Softball Championship in 1984. Donna led the team in hitting and RBI's on her way to earning team MVP honors. As a senior she was 1st team All-Conference Southern Lakes, 1st Team All-Area, and was a member of the All-State tournament team.
After high-school Donna attended Marquette University and earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education. She currently has been teaching for the past 16 years in the Burlington Area School District. Besides teaching Donna enjoys coaching tennis, soccer, softball, baseball, and basketball teams from youth levels to high school.
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| Jerry Hill |
| When most think of the tradition of Burlington High School boys' basketball it is hard not to remember the 26 years Jerry Hill spent leading the Demons on the hard court. Many former players, alumni, and community members have fond memories of spending cold winter evenings watching Coach Hill's teams compete successfully in the Southern Lakes Conference and throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
Jerry compiled an excellent basketball coaching resume during a tenure that started in 1960. Jerry compiled a career record of 373 wins and 217 losses. Coaching for the Demons he recorded 332 wins and 194 losses. His teams won 10 Southern Lakes Conference Championships, 7 WIAA Regional Championships, 2 WIAA Sectional Championships, and 2 berths in the WIAA State Basketball Tournament. He was selected as the Southern Lakes Conference Coach of the Year 10 times and was named Racine County Coach of the Year 3 times.
Jerry is the dean of BHS basketball coaches with his 332 wins. He holds the record for most wins in a season with 20, most conference championships with 10. He was the first basketball coach to earn WIAA Regional and Sectional Championships, and so far is the only basketball coach to take a team to the WIAA State Tournament. His 29 years of service earned him induction into the Wisconsin Basketball Associations Hall of Fame in 1982.
Other coaching milestones that we will always remember Jerry being a part of was serving as Burlington High School's first ever boys' track and field coach in 1961. He also served as our boys' first soccer coach in 1987. Besides his coaching duties Jerry served 33 years as a Physical Education, Drivers Ed and English teacher for the Burlington High School.
Even though Jerry accomplished a lot as a basketball coach he also helped produce student athletes who developed skills that would allow them to become successful individuals in their careers, families, and communities. As a teacher and coach past and current educators of the Burlington Area School District will always respect him. Jerry retired in 1993 and enjoys spending his time in Burlington and Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Jeanene and his children.
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| Ron Kahl |
| We are pleased and privileged to have Ron Kahl as a member of our Wall of Fame. Ron retired from Burlington High School in 2007 after teaching, coaching, supervising, serving, and volunteering within the district for 44 years.
Ron started teaching Technical Education at BHS in 1963. He also coached football and wrestling early in his career, but stepped down from those duties when the district hired future State Hall of Fame coaches Don Dalton in football and Don Moe in wrestling. Even though he wasn't coaching anymore, Ron demonstrated extreme loyalty and pride for Burlington Athletics throughout the remainder of his career in a variety of capacities. Below are some examples of his positive impact.
- Served 35 years as team statistician, sideline manager, and media director for the Burlington football team.
- Served as Floor manager for wrestling and basketball games for 30 plus years. He currently manages our winter concessions; a responsibility he has undertaken since we moved into the new high school in 2000.
- Was a founding member of the Burlington Coaching Association in 1972, and has served as their Treasurer for 35 years. Has helped the organization raise over $175,000 that has gone to promote athletics at BHS and sponsor the annual Athletic Awards Banquet.
- As a Technical Education teacher he has done countless projects for the athletic department. Constructing bat and helmet racks, hanging award plaques, constructing display cases, welding blocking sleds, building team benches and stools, constructing storage sheds and cabinets are examples of the small projects he always found time to complete. He also worked on major construction projects like the building of the three-story press box at Dinty Moore field and the batting cage complex in our new athletic complex. Over the years his skills have saved the athletic department thousands of dollars.
- Ron is an original committee member of our Athletic Wall of Fame and volunteers his time for the annual banquet and awards night.
- Ron organizes, cooks, and serves for our annual Burlington Coaching Association district golf outing and picnic. The event is held to thank the teachers and administrators of our district.
- Ron shops for and plans the annual Burlington Coaching Association Christmas party and gift exchange. This event is something our coaches look forward to, and helps build the excellent camaraderie that exists within our coaching staff at Burlington High School.
- Ron served on the referendum committee for the construction of our 2.8 million dollar outdoor athletic complex. His positive influence within the community aided in its overwhelming support and passage.
- Ron volunteers his time for the Burlington Athletic Association's annual golf outing. A function that has helped raise over $275,000 for Burlington High School Athletics.
Burlington High School has only had four athletic directors. Ron has been around as a friend and supporter for three of the four. They would all agree that it's hard to find a staff member like Ron who has given the time and effort for the students and coaches at Burlington High School. If there is something that needs to be done Ron is always willing and able to step forward with assistance.
Those familiar with Burlington High School, especially officials, community members, and opposing coaches, have been greeted and assisted by Ron at a variety of athletic events. Ron Kahl is the consummate professional who has left his signature within our school and its programs.
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| Tony Romo |
| Tony Romo, class of 1998, participated in football, basketball, and golf during his career at Burlington High School.
Tony is the first BHS athlete to receive All-State recognition in 3-sports. His fantastic high-school career earned him the Demon Award in 1998 which is given to the most outstanding student-athlete in the class. Tony was a standout football player for the Demons. As a two-year starting quarterback he passed for 3,732 yards and 42 touchdowns. He earned 1st team All-Southeast Conference honors. He was also named to the 1st team All-Area, All-County, and All-Region teams. Tony was named to the All-State Teams from the Associated Press and Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. His outstanding senior year earned him 1997 County Player of the Year honors.
Many considered basketball Tony's best sport and as a 3-year letter winner he averaged 24.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals, and 4.7 assists per game. His junior year the Demons were Southern Lakes Conference Champions. As a senior he received Southeast Conference North Division and Racine County Player of the Year honors. He was also named to the All-Racine County 1st team, and Associated Press All-State team.
Golf is a sport that Tony continues to play competitively, and he developed some of his skills as a 4-year letter winner for the Demon golf team. He was a 2-time team MVP. He was named twice to All-Racine County 1st team. His senior year he won the Southeast Conference Championships with a 74, and carried that momentum into a WIAA Regional Championship with a score of 72.
After high school Tony decided to attend Eastern Illinois and play football. On December 19, 2002, Romo was the first player in Eastern Illinois and Ohio Valley Conference history to win the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the nation's top player at the NCAA Division I-AA level. He finished his career holding school and conference records with 85 touchdown passes. He was second in school and third in conference history with 8,212 passing yards. He was also second in school history with 584 completions and 941 attempts. As a senior, he set school and conference records for completions with 258 in 407 attempts for 3,418 yards, which ranked him second in conference and third in school history for a season. He threw for 34 touchdowns and scored one rushing touchdown. Romo's 3,149 yards in total offense as a senior is ranked third in school and conference history. Along with the Walter Payton Award, Romo earned consensus All-American honors. He was also selected All-Ohio Valley Conference and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year for the third straight year.
Currently, Tony is the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. He has already earned multiple Pro Bowl honors and in 2007 led the Cowboys to their best regular season record in team history. Along the way Tony set team records for passing touchdowns with 36, completions with 335, and was the first Cowboy quarterback to throw for more than 4,000 yards in a season, ending up with 4,211. Tony is the pride of Burlington, and even with his many off-season commitments he still finds time to get back to Burlington and visit family and friends. He also spends a portion of each summer sponsoring a youth football camp for the BHS Football program.
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