May 8, 2009

BRYANT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH MARY BURKE INDUCTED INTO RHODE ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- Bryant University women's basketball coach Mary Burke was among 12 individuals inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame Wednesday night at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, R.I.

A great multi-sport athlete in the early days of the league's girls sports program, Burke named Rhode Island's high school girls Athlete of the Year in 1983 by the state's association of sports media members.

One of Rhode Island's first female high school basketball players to attract the attention of college coaches outside of New England, Burke spent her career playing at Providence College where she was a three-time Big East all-conference selection. She also earned a 1987 Rhode Island Female Athlete of the Year honors.

Burke was among six honored for their athletic achievements, three more earning a Hall of Fame nod as coaches and three as major role players in the successes of RI high school athletics.

Read the Providence Journal's John Gillooly for more on Burke's journey through Rhode Island sports.