Longtime Northwestern State director of athletics Greg Burke has been named Director of Business Development and Public Relations for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.
Burke, who drew national acclaim for his work as NSU’s AD from 1996-2022, started his new role this week, said LSHOF Foundation CEO/President Ronnie Rantz.
Burke’s initial focus will center on assisting with partnership opportunities, including attendance at events, for the approaching Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction weekend July 27-29.
Future priorities will include establishing a membership structure for annual support, developing annual and long-term sponsorship and partnership opportunities and embarking on long-term funding sources which will maintain and enhance the future profile of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.
“It is both inspiring and a privilege to have a role in continuing to develop the brand and legacy of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in its ‘hometown’ of Natchitoches and on a statewide level,” said Burke. “I look forward to working with Ronnie Rantz, Doug Ireland, the Foundation board and others to further develop the vision and mission of the Hall of Fame and to position it for sustained success and growth.”
Except for four years at the University of Akron as a development officer in his home state, Burke has lived in Natchitoches since 1986, and traveled throughout Louisiana extensively in his roles as assistant AD and then AD at Northwestern State, and since retiring from the university.
He has done fundraising and development work along with marketing, public relations and extensive administrative duties, raising millions of dollars for NSU Athletics and contributing to a long list of milestones for the Demons. He has also been active in community and regional affairs as a board member and officer of multiple service and civic organizations, and is a board member of the Friends of Louisiana Sports and History (FLASH) local museum support group.
“The opportunity to bring Greg onto our Foundation team is a big step forward for us,” said Rantz. “He knows Louisiana, is well known around Louisiana, and loves Louisiana sports. He is widely admired around the state and country for who he is and for his career in intercollegiate athletics, and he has a passion for Natchitoches and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame that makes him an ideal addition for us.”
Burke worked in the private sector during the past year, traveling extensively to meet with stakeholders and potential partners.
“Greg is the consummate professional, and a people-person who will develop relationships around Louisiana and will strengthen existing bonds,” said Ireland, the Hall of Fame chairman and Foundation executive director since 1990. “His personality and skill set would be assets to any organization and they are tailor-made for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation.”
Burke can be reached via e-mail at gregburke@lasportshall.com or through the LSHOF Foundation office in Natchitoches at 318-238-4255.
The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame includes 25 Pro Football Hall of Fame members, 18 Olympic medalists including 11 gold medal winners, 12 members of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, seven of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players, seven National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, 42 College Football Hall of Fame members, nine National High School Hall of Fame enshrinees, jockeys with a combined 16 Triple Crown victories, six world boxing champions, nine Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinees, seven College Baseball Hall of Fame inductees, 10 College Basketball Hall of Fame members, four NBA Finals MVPs, four winners of major professional golf championships, five National Museum of (Thoroughbred) Racing and Hall of Fame inductees and two Super Bowl MVPs.
The 2023 Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, July 27, with a press conference and reception. The three-day festivities include two receptions, a free youth sports clinic, a bowling party, and a Friday night riverbank concert in Natchitoches. Tickets for the Induction Ceremony, bowling party and two VIP events, along with sponsorship opportunities, are available now through the LaSportsHall.com website.
The 2023 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the LSHOF Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors.
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