University of Wisconsin-Stout Athletics

As UW-Stout athletic director from 1971 to 1981, Burns helped initiate the Hall of Fame and now joins the ranks after more than 20 years of service to the university as an instructor, coach and athletic director. Before coming to Stout, Burns coached or taught at UW-La Crosse, his alma mater, UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and UW-Stevens Point. At Stevens Point, Burns was named teacher of the year. He has served on the NAIA District Executive Committee and is a member of the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame. Burns was inducted into the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame in 1992, the same year he retired from UW-Stout after 21 years at the school.


MENOMONIE (December 14, 2020) - Bill Burns spent the last 21 years of his professional career at UW-Stout, but Burns served students and staff across the UW-System at several schools.

Burns came to Stout in 1971 as athletic director, a post he held until 1981, and was also an assistant coach and physical education instructor until he retired in 1992. Burns also taught and coached at Stevens Point, Madison, Milwaukee, and La Crosse, as well as St. Cloud State in Minnesota. Burns passed away at his home in Menomonie, Thursday, Dec. 10 at the age of 91.
 
Burns came to Menomonie in 1971 as the athletic director from Stevens Point to replace Max Sparger, who had left to take over as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC, a predecessor to the current WIAC). Burns had been at Stevens Point for 11 years. During those 11 years, he was an assistant football coach, and stepped up in 1966 to fill in as the head football coach. He was also the head wrestling coach for nine years and head men's golf coach for three years.

While at Stout, Burns was the athletic director for 10 years, was the head golf coach for two years and was an assistant football coach for 18 years, working under four different head football coaches. 

During his tenure as athletic director, he initiated the establishment of the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978. Burns, affectionately known as "Sweet Ol' Bill",  was inducted into the Stout Hall of Fame in 1993 upon his retirement. On his Hall of Fame questionnaire, in addition to establishing the Hall of Fame, Burns listed as his highlights -  "planted the seed for the current funding system; working with all of the great kids that came through the programs; and working with a fine staff where 'Design for Diversity' was spawned."

It was during the 1970s that women's sports began to take hold across the country. The Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) was established in 1971, months before Burns came to Stout. The Stout sports module grew to include women's sports in gymnastics, basketball, volleyball, track & field, swimming & diving, and tennis during Burns time as athletic director. 

Even as athletic director, Burns taught a wide variety of classes within the Physical Education Department. Burns stepped down as athletic director in 1981 to concentrate on teaching and as an assistant coach before retiring in 1992 after serving a one-year stint as interim co-athletic director..

Stout was affiliated with the NAIA during most of Burns' tenure and was actively involved in the organization. He served on the NAIA District 14 Executive Board of Directors from 1976-81, was a member of the NAIA Athletic Directors Association from 1971-81 and as a member of the NAIA Coaches Association in football, golf and wrestling. Burns was inducted into the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame in 1992. 

For more than 35 years, Burns served as an instructor or as coach, 34 of those years within what is now the UW-System. Burns tallied 32 years as a football coach, 12 years as a wrestling coach, five years as a golf coach, three years as a track coach and one year as a baseball coach. Burns was 21 years at Stout, 11 years at Stevens Point, three years at Milwaukee and one year at St. Cloud State in Minnesota. He also taught and coached at La Crosse and Madison while working on his degrees.

A La Crosse native, Burns enrolled at La Crosse in 1947. His college career was interrupted twice by stints in the US Army. Burns was a football all-conference selection in 1953 and 1954, playing as an offensive and defensive lineman. Burns graduated from La Crosse in 1956 with a degree in physical education, then obtained his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in physical education in 1957. He obtained his ABD in education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1967. 

Burns was a high school official throughout his career and also served in the choir at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie for nearly 50 years. He was a regular on the Menomonie golf courses. 

Bill is survived by his wife, Rosie, his children, Tim (Janet), Mike (Carla), Barb (Mike) Rosas, Dan (Andi), Patty (Jonathan) Akers; 13 grandchildren, Erin, Brett, Brittany (Shea), Michelle (Jack), Nicole, Ellie, Katie (Wyatt), Sam, Claire, Alyson, Rachel, Jordan, Patrick, one great grandson Zaveyae, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends..

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Bill, and three brothers, Tom, Larry and Jim.

Private family services were held. Tuesday December 15, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie with Revs. John Mano and Tom Krieg officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Bill's name to UW-Stout Athletics, St. Joseph's Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.


Complete Bill Burns Obituary

William Patrick Burns, "Sweet Ol Bill" age 91,  of Menomonie, died peacefully at home on Thursday December 10, 2020 surrounded by his family.

Bill was born October 26, 1929 in La Crosse, WI to Joseph and Alice (Scanlon) Burns.  Bill graduated from Aquinas High School in 1946 and then attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a couple of interruptions courtesy of the U.S. Army and the  Korean War.   He then obtained his Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. 

Bill was a seasonal Park Ranger at Glacier National Park.   It was there where he met the love of his life, Rose Farrington.  They were married June 14, 1958 in Edina, MN .In 1957 Bill began his teaching and coaching career at UW Milwaukee and eventually moved on to UW-Stevens Point before settling in Menomonie in 1971 where he was hired as the athletic director at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.    He continued his career in the Athletic department as a coach, teacher and administrator.    His joy of interacting with students allowed him to touch many lives.

Bill was known for his sweet disposition, his mischievous sense of humor, and an undying love for his family.  He was dedicated to his Catholic faith and served as a lector and member of the church choir for almost 50 years.    Bill enjoyed being a High School referee for many years and the relationships he forged were numerous and long lasting.  He was also known to play a little golf where he mastered the "short game" that afforded him the opportunity to collect a few quarters along the way.        
 
Bill and Rosie enjoyed wintering in Gulf Shores, AL where they spend time with old and new friends.  Their winter excursion created a family holiday right before their departure known as ThanksMas where gifts were exchanged, food consumed and Bill was famous for answering the question of "When are you leaving for Gulf Shores?" with  "As soon you leave here!"

Bill is survived by his wife, Rosie, his children, Tim (Janet), Mike (Carla), Barb (Mike) Rosas, Dan (Andi), Patty (Jonathan) Akers; 13 grandchildren, Erin, Brett, Brittany (Shea), Michelle (Jack), Nicole, Ellie, Katie (Wyatt), Sam, Claire, Alyson, Rachel, Jordan, Patrick, one great grandson Zaveyae, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends..

He is preceded in death by his parents, his son Bill, three brothers, Tom, Larry and Jim.

Due to Covid 19, private family services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday December 15, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie with Revs. John Mano and Tom Krieg officiating. The funeral service will be Live Streamed on the Rhiel Funeral Home Facebook page .? Burial will be at a later date in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given in Bill's name to UW Stout Athletics, St. Joseph's Catholic Church or a charity of your choice.