Brian Burbey
Brian Burbey
  • Year:
    1998
  • Sports:
    Football

Bio

Brian Burbey was one of UW-Oshkosh's most accomplished and decorated football players during the late 1960s.

Burbey's athleticism and talent became apparent while attending Niagara High School, where he earned letters in football and basketball all four years and in track & field his senior year. In football, he was selected all-conference three straight years and received both All-State honorable mention and Most Valuable Player honors in 1964.

Burbey continued his football success at UW-Oshkosh, where he was a four-year letter winner from 1966-69. UW-Oshkosh tied for the WSUC championship in 1968 with a record of 8-2. He earned All-WSUC honors in 1968 and 1969.

In 1969, Burbey came into his own as he tied a UW-Oshkosh record by scoring 26 points in a game against UW-River Falls. Burbey was the WSUC's leading rusher in 1969 and topped off the season by being named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Burbey's 2,250 career rushing yards is fourth in school history. His 116 career points rank eighth. Burbey's 879 rushing yards and 56 points scored in 1969 ranks sixth and seventh, respectively, in school history.

Following graduation from UW-Oshkosh, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1971, Burbey played semi-pro football for the Manitowoc Chiefs. Burbey would go on to attend the Chicago Northwestern Engineer School (Ill.). Although he did not pursue a career in education, the knowledge and self-discipline he gained both on and off the field while at UW-Oshkosh would serve him well into his 27-year career as a railroad engineer for Wisconsin Central, Ltd.

Today, Burbey belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and is presently serving as a delegate to the Intercommerce Department. He is also a member of the Seneca Pheasant Club, where he has been the treasurer for the past six years.

Burbey and his wife, Loie, live near Berlin, and enjoy attending sporting events throughout the country. Burbey spends his time hunting and raising and training hunting dogs.