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Listen to Burnoski, who grew up in Chicago before moving to Rochester, Minn., talk about possibly playing basketball this winter for UW-La Crosse, and you'll hear a man still smitten. Four years between fast breaks is too long. Pickup games in sweltering gymnasiums are fun. This standout athlete can help the Eagles. He wants to help them.
This should excite even the casual follower of UW-L basketball. Unless you've been in Bora Bora the last four years, you know the impact Burnoski had as a wide receiver for the UW-L football team from 2001 through '04.
He holds school records for career receptions (195), receiving yards (3,004) and touchdown catches (30). He helped UW-L win three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and earn three NCAA Division III playoff berths.
What could the athletic Burnoski bring to a UW-L basketball team that's had just one winning season in the last
15 years? A winning attitude? You bet. Passion? You don't even have to ask.
"When I was in football, I was focused on helping (UW-L) win," Burnoski said. "But now I can give 100 percent devotion to basketball."
However, there are distractions out there tempting Burnoski.
He said both the Chicago Rush and the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League have contacted him about potential tryouts later this summer. As rewarding as it would be for Burnoski to stay in school another year and complete his degree in marketing, he would be crazy to pass up playing professional football and earning the decent
paycheck that comes with it.
But let's suppose for a minute that doesn't happen. Let's suppose Burnoski continues to work out with UW-L's basketball players twice a week. And let's suppose he impresses UW-L men's basketball coach Ken Koelbl when the Eagles begin practice in October and earns a spot on the roster. What then?
I would go as far as saying even after a four-year hiatus, Burnoski could help make what should be an improved UW-L team even better. He averaged 15 points per game his senior year at Rochester Century High School playing both point guard and shooting guard.
That was in 2000-01, you say? Well, apparently Burnoski hasn't accumulated too much rust. He once won an intramural dunk contest that Koelbl judged. Last month Burnoski, UW-L junior forward Joe Werner and junior point guard Andrew Huss finished second in their division at the Gus Macker Tournament in Wausau, Wis.
While I admit the competition is nowhere near what Burnoski would face from WIAC powers like UW-Stevens Point and UW-Oshkosh, Koelbl is willing to give him a shot.
"I won't know (about Burnoski's potential) until we get to practice," said Koelbl, who met with Burnoski on Tuesday. "But I certainly like to have guys in our program who like to get after it. And he knows how to do that."
Burnoski is the kind of athlete who likely would succeed at any endeavor, be it basketball or deep-sea fishing. I saw him make some incredible catches during his four-year football career. I know UW-L football coach Larry Terry and the Eagles' fans are going to miss him.
But at the same time, Burnoski can earn a whole new set of admirers this winter if his return to basketball is successful. I'm betting it will be, and UW-L's fans will love him for it.
"I feel like I'm a little rusty (with basketball). But with some good coaching and being able to play with these guys, I think I can fit in," Burnoski said. "I hope I can help the team."
Kirk Bey can be reached at (608) 791-8414, or at kbey@lacrossetribune.com
