Each quarter we will spotlight a Samford S-Club member. This quarter, we are spotlighting Samford Athletics Hall of Famer, Wally Burnham (1963). Coach Burnham played football for 2 seasons at Samford. The linebacker was team captain his senior season as well as a Little All-American. Burnham climbed the coached for 45 years including stops at Florida State, South Florida and Iowa State. In 1993, he was a member of the NCAA Champion Florida State Seminoles, where he coached alongside fellow Samford Athletics Hall of Famer, Bobby Bowden.
What are some life lessons that you learned here at Samford that you took with you into your coaching career?
I think one of the best life lessons was you must have great teamwork in your life to be successful. No one has ever made it by themselves. Another coaching lesson I took away from my Samford experience is that talent alone will not always get the job done . You must be dedicated to the task at hand, disciplined in your everyday life and loyal to yourself and to whomever touches your life.
Talk a little bit about how much re-connecting with Samford has meant to you?
It has been great getting to talk to and hear from so many ex teammates, fraternity brothers and others who were part of my years at Samford. Coming back and seeing many new buildings and campus changes has been very impressive. Meeting and building relationships with the current Athletic Department staff has been great fun. I have been impressed with their vision for the future of Samford Athletics.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time here as a player?
My best memory was meeting my wife Barbara Allison, which took place after our game with Mississippi State in Starkville, MS where we got our "doors blown off." S Club adventures and football team road trips rank high in my memory bank. Those were times where friendships were strengthened; friendships which have endured and been important to me all of my life.
A final message from Coach Burnham.
I am proud to say that I am a graduate of Samford University and was part of their football program. It was a special time in my life because of the people who became my life time friends. I hope you feel the same. Samford is a special place and I will always remember my time as a Bulldog.
