Mariner retires Burke’s jersey
It wasn’t so much Pat Burke’s height that started him on his path to professional basketball, but hard work and the guidance from former Mariner High varsity coach Marty Waters.
Burke, 34, a former Triton standout who went on to play in Europe and with the Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns in the NBA, had his jersey (No. 31) retired Friday in the school auditorium.
“This was a day we knew was coming for a long time,” Mariner athletic director Vito Mennona said.
It’s been a long, well-traveled and successful journey for Burke, but one that didn’t seem possible after his junior varsity experience at Avon Lake in Ohio.
The 6-foot-10 Burke already was nearly 6-7 as a freshman, but was uncoordinated, causing other players (and even coaches) to ridicule him at practice.
One insult hurt the most.
“The coach took the team and put us in a line and one by one told us what he didn’t want us to do,” Burke said. “When it was my turn, (the coach) said I don’t ever want to see you dribble the ball. That hurt me a lot.”
When Burke moved to Cape Coral prior to his sophomore year, and first enrolled at Mariner, he wanted no part of basketball or athletics. He said Waters asked him to come out for the team and was patient working with him to develop his skills.
“I had no skills,” Burke said. “(Coach) Waters helped me the most. He saw the potential in me and put me on the path I’m on now.”
Burke spoke to current Mariner students after being introduced Friday. Mennona, principal Erik Cioffi and Waters also spoke and provided perspective on Burke’s life and career.
He played for the Tritons for three years , graduating in 1992, then played at Auburn University and was all-SEC before embarking on his professional career, which included stints in Greece, Spain and Russia.
Before Burke spoke, a video of a feature done by NBA’s Inside Stuff was played. This was during his time with the Phoenix Suns from 2005-2007. Host Ahmad Rashad chronicled Burke’s journey from Europe to the NBA.
When it came time for Burke to speak, his message to students was that everyone has bumps in the road on the way to success. Along with his rough experience playing junior varsity in Ohio, Burke said he felt like his dream was over when he wasn’t drafted, initially, by an NBA team.
Burke, who was born in Ireland, gained valuable experience playing in Europe. In Greece, he helped lead his team to three consecutive titles from 1999 to 2001.
His first appearance in the NBA came with the Orlando Magic in 2002. He played 62 games, averaging 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds.
He played in Russia last season, went to training camp with the Golden State Warriors before the 2007-08 season, but was unable to continue due to appendicitis. He’s taking some time off right now, but said he may continue his career this season, likely in Europe.
Burke was joined at the ceremony by a large group of family members, including his wife, Peyton. They have twin boys, Graceson and Sadler, and his wife is expecting a third child in October.
Burke is the fifth Triton athlete to have his jersey retired, joining Earnest Graham, Greg Spires, Alvin Ashley, Tony McKenna and Teddy Dupay.