Free Press boys athlete of the year: MMU's Patrick Burke

With a proper dose of power, speed and smarts, Patrick Burke's impact in football, hockey and baseball was undeniable. 

But after banner seasons on the gridiron and on the ice, Burke, a former Metro first-team selection at designated hitter, opted to switch sports in his final months of his senior year at Mount Mansfield Union High School.

Burke traded in his bat and glove and picked up a different stick and helmet — the ones used in lacrosse.

"I still love baseball, but I thought lacrosse looked like fun, all my friends play lacrosse," said Burke, grown tired of Vermont's messy spring weather limiting practice time on the diamond. "It looked like a new sport that would be fun to try out."

Naturally, in the short time he had, Burke struggled to master the art of passing, but relied on his strengths and athleticism to turn into a starter as a defenseman for a 12-win MMU club that reached the Division I quarterfinals.

"I knew I was getting a great athlete. All it was, can I put him in the right position to be successful — and that’s what he became," lacrosse coach Ed DiNardo said. "He was able to learn enough skills to be a contributor and by the time we were in the playoffs, he could move people and pick up a groundball."

It's yet one more example of Burke's willingness to adapt and serve a critical role for a fourth team in his MMU career, and enough evidence to clinch the honor of this year's Burlington Free Press boys athlete of the year.

Rice's Lisa McNamara is the girls winner of the newspaper's award that began in 2011.

More:Free Press girls athlete of the year: Rice's Lisa McNamara

A bruising forward in hockey and a feared linebacker and high-grade offensive lineman in football, Burke's unrelenting nature and competitiveness — born out of years of playing against older sisters Molly and Anna, stars in their own right, in the family's backyard ice rink — pushed him to a crowning senior year.

Burke amassed 127 tackles, 18 for loss, with five sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in the fall, capped with a game-altering, scoop-and-score recovery for a touchdown in the Cougars' break-through championship victory over Rutland.

"Kid’s a true warrior. Mentally and physically one of the toughest kids I’ve ever met," said Marty Richards, Burke's football coach. "And off the field, one of the nicest kids you’ll ever met. He was a competitor and a gentleman."

In hockey, Burke piled up 18 goals and 26 assists, becoming the 10th Cougar and third Burke sibling to cross the 100-point milestone. He was that rare power forward in high school hockey.

"You don’t see guys that are big and strong that can lower their shoulder and drive to the net," hockey coach Bruce Garrapy said. "It made him a force."

A player who invited contact, Burke said he saw value in being a multi-sport athlete. 

"Without a doubt I wouldn’t be the athlete I was if I didn’t play three sports," Burke said. "I obviously have no future in lacrosse, but it was a lot of fun and it made me a better athlete. Playing other sports tunes different parts of your abilities in other sports. And I think that’s really important."

What else did Burke value? Film study.

Richards marveled at the amount of hours Burke logged reviewing video of games and plays. 

"He was always prepared and that showed," Richards said. "He often knew what the other team was going to run before they ran it."

Able to read the game, Burke was given free rein in MMU's system.

"He's mentally gifted and mentally astute — that’s the difference between a good athlete and a great athlete," Richards said.

And when Burke toed the line of scrimmage, ready to blitz, the end result typically had No. 54 in the opposing backfield, having busted up a play.

"You get up and everyone is around you and swarming you — it’s just the best feeling," Burke said.

Burke's signature moment came on the aforementioned fumble recovery for a score vs. Rutland. His team trailing 20-18 in the third quarter, Burke rushed on a stunt and was there to gather a fumbled exchange between the Rutland quarterback and running back.

Burke darted 40 yards to paydirt, his first and only touchdown of his high school career. MMU never trailed again in the 38-27 classic.

"It’s my biggest highlight and that’s the part that still feels the most surreal," Burke said. "I would never imagine in a million years that would happen. I never even touched the ball before that."

After playing in the Make-A-Wish All-Star Hockey Classic on Saturday, Burke will represent MMU one more time in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl in August with Richards serving as his head coach.

Then it's off to St. Lawrence to continue his academic and football career. And hopefully with the 'Paco' nickname — sister Anna coined when he was in elementary school — living on. 

"It’s like Pele or something. I have one name. I think it’s cool," Burke said.

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Contact Alex Abrami at 660-1848 or aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @aabrami5.

Boys Athletes of the Year

2019: Patrick Burke, Mount Mansfield

2018: Kevin Garrison, Burlington

2017: Tyler Marshall, Champlain Valley

2016: Andy Kenosh, Rutland

2015: Alec Eschholz, Mount Mansfield

2014: Tommy Fitzgerald, Rice

2013: Matt St. Amour, Missisquoi

2012: Matt St. Amour, Missisquoi

2011: Christian McCormick, Rice