Morgan Burke Named McCaffree Award-Winner
Longtime Purdue Athletic Director Morgan Burke has been selected for the Charles McCaffree Award by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America. The McCaffree Award is presented annually to an individual connected to the sport of swimming and diving who has achieved outstanding success outside of the pool. Burke will be recognized at the CSCAA's 57th Annual Awards Banquet on May 8th at the Bahia Resort in San Diego.
A 1973 industrial management graduate and captain of the swimming team his senior year, Burke was a member of Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary. He earned a master's degree in industrial relations in 1975 and law degree from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1990. Burke spent eighteen years at Inland Steel, moving thorough thirteen positions and eventually landing as Vice President before spending 23 years as Purdue's Athletic Director.
Beyond Purdue, Burke is past president of the Division 1A Athletic Directors Association and previously served on the NCAA Leadership Council, which identifies important issues surrounding the future of the NCAA and reports to the Board of Directors, and several Big Ten boards (Executive, Program/Budget and Compliance committees) and NCAA working groups (Championships and Competitions and Postseason Football committees).
“I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Morgan Burke. He has remained committed to supporting Purdue’s swimmers and divers since his undergraduate days as a member of the team, through his tenure as our athletics director, during which he could often be found poolside, cheering on our student-athletes and keeping personal track of their times and scores. Purdue is proud of his legacy as one of the outstanding athletics directors in the country, and we’re glad to see his particular commitment to swimming and diving recognized with this terrific honor.”
– Mitch Daniels, Purdue University President and former Governor of Indiana
"I’ve known Morgan since he worked at Inland Steel and attended our meets, including the Big Ten Championships my freshman year. He was there for me through some tough times personally and professionally, and for that I am hugely indebted to him. Morgan guided Purdue Athletics into the 21st century and I hope he and Kate can relax, cheer on their Boilermakers and someday realize with a smile their true impact." – Dan Ross, Men’s Swim Coach
“Morgan was the type of athletics director a coach dreams about. He knew all the swimmers and divers, their times and even their splits. He is such an advocate for the sport of and has always made decisions best for the entire sport. I have learned many leadership lessons from Morgan and will always hold a place in my heart for him.” - Cathy Wright-Eger, Purdue University Athletic Leadership Advisor