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James F. Burke

Hall of Fame

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Inducted 1994

College

Cortland State University

A native of Huntington, N.Y., Jimmy Burke was a three-time All-American at Cortland State in 1976, 1977 and 1978, earning first team honors in 1976 and 1978 and second team honors in 1977. He anchored the defense that won the 1975 national championships. Elected team captain in 1977 and 1978, Burke was selected to play in the 1978 North/South Collegiate All-Star game.

He played for the Long Island LC for more than a decade, was a perennial All-Club selection and a key to six USCLA championship teams. He also played club lacrosse in California.

Burke was a member of the 1982, 1986 and 1990 U.S. teams, all of which won world championships, and he was captain of the 1986 team. In 1986, Burke was selected to the All-World Team, and was voted Outstanding Defenseman of the World Games. In 1991, he won the Krongard Trophy for his contributions to the game as an active club player.

Burke passed away in April 2020 following a long battle with prostate cancer.