NEAL BURGESS '72

Basketball

One of the premier basketball point guards NEAL BURGESS is the final starter, and perhaps key member, of the 1970-71 United Press International National Champion basketball team from 1970-71 to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

That team that included Hall of Famers Jake Jones '71 (Neptune, NJ), Serge DeBari '71 (Hoboken, NJ), Mike Boylan '73 (Jersey City, NJ) and Danny Small '73 (Fitchburg, MA) compiled a 25-2 overall record and won the New England regional tournament at New Britain, Connecticut by an average margin of over 23 points per game.

Statistically, he finished his career with 694 points (54th on the list) with 431 assists (eighth), 309 rebounds and a .767 free throw percentage. His teams compiled records of 17-7, 17-5, 25-2, and 21-6 for an overall mark of 80-20 (.800). They advanced to four regional tournaments winning at New Britain, CT in 1971 and in the Laska Gym in 1972.

His top games included 23 points at Bridgeport (12/17/71) . . . the last time the Hounds won at Bridgeport (86-82) and the same night Dan Small had 25 rebounds. He also had 22 points (8-for-9 field goals) and eight assists at Fairfield University (3/6/72) (121-107).

He was named to the all-tournament team as the Hounds won the Worcester JayCee Holiday Festival by an average of 49 points-per-game in December 1970 and also at the N.C.A.A. regional tournament (1972). He played in the New England Senior All-Star game at New Hampshire in 1972.

He has taught English at Gardner High School in Gardner, MA since graduation. And, coached the basketball team from 1972-84 advancing to the District E final in 1974. He is married to the former Mary Ellen Jordan '74 and they reside in Holden, Massachusetts with a son, Alexander.