Between Two Desks with Roger Burkman

Welcome to Between Two Desks, an interview series where St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Commissioner Dr. Dick Kaiser talks with Athletic Directors from around the league. Throughout the series get to learn more about each school's AD, how they got to the position they are in, and why they love working in athletics. Today we meet Roger Burkman, Athletic Director at Spalding University.

How many people do you actually know that have played in an NCAA basketball championship in front of a packed house and a huge TV audience and won the title? That's just what happened to Spalding AD, Roger Burkman, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with Roger in an extended interview and these are some excerpts from that discussion.

How long have you been at Spalding University?
This is my 16^th year at Spalding University as the athletic director. I think I am second to only Matt Mitchell of Westminster in the length of time as the AD at one school. Prior to my coming to Spalding, I served at two separate Catholic high schools, DeSales and Trinity, in the Louisville area for 15 years as either a coach or in the area of advancement. I loved those positions and never planned on leaving the Catholic high school scene. When I was asked to look at the position at Spalding, I really didn't think I was qualified but President McClure convinced me to take the position.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the small community of Acton, Indiana, which is just south of Indianapolis. Growing up, my brother and I played all kinds of sports, even though he was 10 years older than me. He was really responsible for me becoming a pretty good basketball player.

Did you participate in sports in high school?
I played three sports in high school, they included football, basketball, and I ran track. Back in the day, our basketball team was pretty successful and we played in front of standing room only crowds almost every night. Coach Bobby Knight would occasionally be at games, and that always drew a crowd. Obviously, I was good enough to attract some attention as a player and coaches from Purdue, Butler and Louisville looked at me but I ended up choosing Louisville because of Coach Denny Crum.  

Where did you attend college and did you participate in college athletics?
I attended Louisville University and played basketball all four years as a Cardinal. During the late '70s and early '80s, Louisville basketball became a huge entity and drew capacity crowds each night. Playing Division 1 basketball at Louisville and traveling all over the country was a unique opportunity and something not everyone gets to experience. I got hurt halfway through my sophomore year but came back my final two years and played a ton of minutes. We had some really great athletes playing then, Daryl Griffin, just to name one. Then there was Rodney and Scooter McRay to name just a couple of others. Obviously winning the NCAA National Championship in my junior year in Indianapolis with all my family there was a lot of fun, it's something very few people get to experience. I remember when the clock ran out and the horn sounded on the last shot by UCLA, I grabbed the rebound and stuck the ball up under my jersey so we wouldn't lose it. Everything has to go just perfect for a team to win a championship, so that season and those moments are very special to me.

What convinced you to go into athletics as a profession?
I graduated from Louisville in 1981 with a degree in business and I got drafted by the Chicago Bulls. Even though I made the Bulls roster as a rookie, there are no guarantees in professional basketball. After I got released about mid-season, I really wasn't sure what I wanted to do and my Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum convinced me to stay in Louisville and use my recognition as a basketball player as an asset. Winning a championship is a piece of history and Coach Crum encouraged me to use that recognition during my career. I went to work for Pepsi as a product seller and worked my way up to a Key Account Executive. I stayed with Pepsi for 5 years before I took my first Catholic high school job at DeSales where I served as their basketball coach and worked in their fundraising-advancement office for 5 years and just loved it. That was my first real job, other than playing basketball, in athletics, and got me started in my career that also included 10 years at Trinity Catholic High School in a similar position.

Within your resume, where were your most important professional stops along the way that helped you?
First would be our winning the national championship and me being part of the team. That actually gave me name recognition which ultimately helped me get the Spalding position. Next would be my experience making cold calls as a salesman for Pepsi during my initial years with them. Louisville was a Coke dominated town when I first started with Pepsi, so it was not an easy sell. And thirdly would have been my two stints at the local Catholic High Schools because those jobs actually got me into the athletic administration world.

Are there any specific individuals that feel were great mentors that helped you along the way?
Both my high school coach, Norm Stuckey, and athletic director, Larry Hanni, at Franklin Center were big influences because they were always so positive and kept me focused in school. I still communicate on a regular basis with both of these men. The two most influential individuals were Coach Denny Crum and my brother, Bill. Coach Crum made me believe in my abilities and helped me get my first job with Pepsi. Coach Crum is like part of the family with me and he always has been there when I needed him. I will always appreciate that he would give me an honest answer to my questions. Bill was 10 years older than I but he actually molded me into the player that I ultimately became. We were best buddies, talked almost daily and it was tough when he passed recently.

What experiences along the way best prepared you to be an AD at the college level?
I was a pretty shy person growing up and being around a lot of people was not something I was really comfortable with. I had to take a public speaking class in college and that really helped me. Coincidently, I met my wife, Judy, in that class. Playing on a nationally ranked basketball team also provided me multiple experiences of having to communicate due to all the attention we received. The various positions that I have held that required meeting and greeting people like the Pepsi job and then actually serving as a fundraiser helped me significantly. I truly believe God had a purpose for me when I decided to stay in Louisville. Hopefully, I'm fulfilling that purpose.

What do you find most rewarding within your position as the Athletic Director?
I'm all about young people and I hope I have a positive impact on their lives during our interactions. I want to be a person that has an influence on them as individuals and helps them through their growth into outstanding adults. One of my favorite quotes that I think is pertinent and I use frequently came from Coach Crum – "Make Good Decisions – Because you represent so many things or people". 

Not counting the pandemic, what have you found to be the most taxing as it relates to your position?
It's pretty hard to ignore what's going right now in our country with the COVID and social justice issues. I would say one of the more difficult things right now as AD is to attempt to keep the coaches and student-athletes focused on what's important. We all are trying to stay positive through the adversity that surrounds us at times. At least here in Louisville, keeping the students and staff safe is a big concern of mine. And like every small liberal arts institution, we have to keep our eye on enrollment so that will always be a constant push to recruit hard and increase our numbers.  

As a coach or administrator, what has been a real highlight in your career?
Well, playing on an NCAA National Championship team was a definite highlight and one that still brings make countless memories. I'd say the second thing was my getting drafted and making the roster of the Chicago Bulls. The level of talent within the NBA is unbelievable so I felt very fortunate. And then thirdly would be my personal life with my wife, my kids, and my family… they are very important to me.

What advice would you give to every student-athlete about their college experience?
I try to encourage all of our students to take advantage of the situation they are currently in. They must be willing to network and don't be hesitant to let people know that they are a student-athlete. What they are doing now in college is prepping them for life after college, so embrace the moment and enjoy the experience.

Finally, as we close this Q & A, please tell me about your family.
My mom and dad were great people and they came to every game that I played. They really supported me during my life. I'd have to say I out-kicked my coverage as it relates to my wife – Judy. I met her in class at Louisville and she got her law degree there. Judy has been a judge in the Louisville area for over 21 years. Judy's parents are also great and Judy's dad played football with Johnny Unitas at Louisville. I have two great kids, my daughter Elisa is a Spalding graduate, played volleyball and was All-Conference. Elisa has a master's from Louisville in psychology and works with neurological assessments. Lukas, my son, played high school basketball at Trinity HS and then a couple of years at Indiana University Southeast.  He is currently a junior here at Spalding.

- #SLIACtion -