George Vorpagel, Class of 1957, participated in football, basketball, and baseball during his career at Burlington High School.
George earned 2nd team All-Conference honors in football, but it was on the basketball floor that he truly distinguished himself. He was selected to the Southern Lakes 2nd team All Conference basketball squad as a junior and was a 1st team selection his senior year. He was named the Most Valuable Basketball Player of the Southern Lakes Conference for the 1956-57 season as voted by Southern Lakes basketball coaches and sportswriters.
After graduation George attended the University of Redlands in California where he continued playing basketball. U of R was undefeated in the SCIAC conference during the 1960 and 1961 seasons. George was selected as 2nd team All SCIAC in 1961. His 1961 team was the first U of R team to play in the NAIA basketball tournament, and the same team was the first to be inducted into the U of R Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame.
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Tom Fitzpatrick, Class of 1985, participated in wrestling and baseball during his career at Burlington High School.
Tom was one of the most dominant wrestlers in the state of Wisconsin during his high school wrestling career. He lettered all four years and was named team captain during his senior campaign.
He compiled a 118-5 high school wrestling record and holds the BHS wrestling career win record. Tom was a two-time WIAA State Champion, four-time WIAA Regional and Sectional Champion, and a three-time Southern Lakes Conference Champion. For all his work and honors on the wrestling mat, Tom was named the All-County Wrestler of the year for the 1984 and 1985 seasons.
After graduation Tom attended the University of Wisconsin and wrestled for the Badgers on an athletic scholarship. He won silver medals at the Olympic Sports Festival in Houston, Texas and at the National Freestyle Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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William A. Rein, Class of 1937, participated in football and basketball during his career at Burlington High School.
In football Bill played almost every position on the field. The four year letter winner ran, passed, and kicked the ball from the positions of quarterback, tailback, defensive back, punt returner, and drop kicked the extra points. Bill was awarded the distinguished American Legion Scholar Athlete medal in 1937.
Bill also earned three letters in basketball. He was a two-year captain and twice led the team in scoring. Bill was named All-District forward during the 1936 and 1937 seasons. Bill was elected to the Burlington High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
After graduation Bill attended Marquette University on a football scholarship where he played tailback. Bill suffered an injury that ended his Marquette football tenure, but he was able to continue his football career at Carroll College. Bill maintained his competitive nature by playing shortstop for the Burlington Brewers semi-pro baseball team and boxing in Golden Gloves.
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Jack R. Rein, Class of 1945, participated in football and basketball during his career at Burlington High School.
In football Jack played on the 1943 and 1944 Conference Champion teams. He lettered all four years and captained the 1944 team. Jack scored a record 132 points for a 7 game season. He was named the best fullback in the state by the Wisconsin State Journal and was awarded the American Legion Scholar Athlete Medal in 1945.
Jack earned four letters in basketball and played on the 1944 and 1945 Conference Champion teams. In 1944 he was the leading scorer for the Demons and earned 1st team All-Conference honors. In 1945 he captained the team while again leading the team in scoring and earning 1st team All-Conference honors. Jack was named to the WIAA Regional Tournament 1st team.
Jack received scholarship offers to play football from Wisconsin, Illinois, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Tulsa. Jack attended the University of Tulsa.
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Wally Iselin, Class of 1965, participated in football, wrestling, and track during his career at Burlington High School.
As a three-sport athlete at BHS, Wally was a captain of the wrestling and track teams. His hard work on the field and mat earned him All Conference and All-Area honors in football and wrestling, and All-Conference in Track. His most treasured honor in high school was being named the Sportsmanship Award recipient for 1965.
Wally went to UW-Whitewater and played football for one year, then transferred to UW-La Crosse where he wrestled from 1967 to 1969. Later, as a college coach he coached 17 All-Americans, 28 Conference Champions, and served as president of the Wrestling Coaches Association for NCAA Division III. He was named the Wisconsin State University Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1987.
His skills as an athlete and coach have helped him become an excellent educator at UW-Platteville. He served as department chair for the health and physical education program at UW-P. Dr. Iselin is currently the Director of the School of Education and the Director of International Education for the college of liberal arts and education at UW-P. Dr. Iselin has authored and published a mental training tape for wrestlers, and has also worked in the Milwaukee Brewer farm system in the area of mental training and motivation. He is a member of the Platteville School Board and President of the sports boosters. The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators awarded him their Distinguished Service Award.
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Lee Zubrod, Class of 1987, participated in cross-country and track during his career at Burlington High School.
Lee earned eight letters in cross-country and track. Lee was the premier distance runner in the state of Wisconsin and the Southern Lakes Conference during the mid-eighties. He was the SLC cross-country champion as a junior and senior, the 3200 meter champion his sophomore, junior, and senior years, and the 1600 meter champion his junior and senior year. In WIAA events Lee was a cross-country regional and sectional champion as a junior and senior, and a runner up in the 3200 meters at the state meet as a junior.
Lee was a four time WIAA State Champion. He was the individual WIAA State Champion in cross-country during his junior and senior season. Lee capped off his brilliant high school career by winning the 1600 meter run and 3200 meter run at the WIAA State Track and Field meet in his final high school competition. He twice received Racine County Runner of the Year honors, and was named All-State in cross-country his junior and senior year.
Lee went on to the University of Wisconsin and earned eleven Varsity letters in cross-country and track. He was a member of four Big Ten Champion cross-country teams, and also a member of the 1988 NCAA National Championship team. Lee earned All-Big Ten honors in cross-country in 1989, and track in 1992. He was a team captain for the Badger cross country and track teams as a senior. Lee graduated in 1992 and continued his love for running by competing in road races. He was the 1992 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon Champion, and one of his proudest accomplishments was a 43rd place finish in the Boston Marathon.
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"Pitzie" began teaching at Burlington High School in 1934 and retired in 1976. In 42 years as a physical and health education teacher at BHS, Myrtle Pitzner's life intertwined with thousands of students.
During most of "Pitzie's" teaching career interscholastic high school athletics for women did not exist. When she started teaching, BHS was a school of about 300 and she shared the gym with Dinty Moore one day a week. "Pitzie" was best known for her love of teaching and the many after school hours she put into her yearly gym demonstrations. Gym demonstrations were performances that the high school girls put on each spring, each year with a new theme. The performances included; stunts and tumbling, jump roping, square and folk dance, novelty stunts, and tap dancing. Admission was charged for the show and the money went into "Pitzie's" budget to purchase physical education equipment. Gradually, the annual demonstration became too big for all girls who wanted to participate to be able to do so. The last gym demonstration was in 1961.
"Pitzie" was always especially interested in life time sports. Tennis, archery, and badminton were sports she loved to teach. She was very dedicated to her job and concerned with kids fitness and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Even after her retirement, "Pitzie" remained active with numerous church and community activities.
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Sam Reuschlein, Class of 1948, participated in football and basketball during his career at Burlington High School.
In football, Sam played on four Conference Championship teams. He was a four-time letter winner in football and was a co-captain on the 1947 championship team.
As a basketball player Sam earned four letters and served as co-captain on a squad that shared the Conference title with Lake Geneva. Sam was also busy outside of athletics, serving as Senior Class Vice-President and holding the male lead in the Senior Class play. Sam was awarded the distinguished American Legion Scholar Athlete Medal in 1948.
Sam went on to UW-La Crosse and lettered three years in football. He played on the 1950 and 1951 undefeated championship squads. He was also a member of the 1951 team that won the Cigar Bowl in Tampa, Florida. As a senior Sam was named All-Conference both as an offense and defensive player. He continued playing football while in the service stationed in Trieste, Italy.
Sam earned a PhD from the University of Wisconsin in 1965 and went on to teach at Michigan State University. While at MSU he received the Outstanding Faculty Member Award, Distinguished Service Award, Phi Epsilon Kappa, and Distinguished Service Award-Michigan AAHPER. Upon his retirement Sam received the honor of Professor Emeritus.
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Dick Payleitner, Class of 1958, participated in basketball and tennis during his high school career.
Dick earned four letters playing tennis for the Demons, but it was on the hardwood courts of the BHS gym that Dick made a name for himself. During his senior year, and his first year playing center on the varsity team, Dick earned 1st team All-Conference and All-County honors. In his junior year Dick played forward on the Conference Championship team of 1957. He once scored half of the team?s points, including the winning basket, as the Demons defeated Milwaukee Messmer on their home court 62-61.
Dick went on to the University of Wisconsin and studied engineering. He was invited to join the UW track and field team and it is interesting to note that Dick had never competed in track because BHS did not yet have track and field as a competitive sport when he was in high school. Dick competed one year as a high jumper and then gave up his pursuit of sports to devote time to his engineering studies. He graduated UW with a degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a Masters Degree.
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Gayle (Winkler) Koch, Class of 1979, participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball during her high school career.
The WIAA didn't start sponsoring women's sports until the early to mid 1970's. Gayle was one of the first female student/athletes to shine during the evolution of women's interscholastic high school athletics.
Gayle earned eight letters playing volleyball and basketball. In volleyball she earned team MVP as a sophomore and was a captain and 1st team All-Area selection as a senior. In basketball Gayle was 3rd team All-Conference and 2nd team All-Area as a sophomore. Her junior year she served as a captain and was chosen team MVP while earning 2nd team All-Conference and All-County and 1st team All-Area. During her senior campaign she once again was captain and team MVP. Gayle ended her basketball career as a 1st team All-Conference and All-Area selection, and earned 2nd team All-County honors.
Gayle received the Demon Award as the best senior athlete, and was also a recipient of the American Legion Scholar Athlete Medal.
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Stewart Kaiser, Class of 1951, participated in football and basketball during his high school career.
Stu earned three letters playing football. He played center on the 1950 Championship squad as a junior and in his senior year he helped lead the Demons to a 6-1-1 conference record.
In basketball Stu was a 3-year letter winner while playing center for the Demon basketball team. He was a member of the 1950 Conference Champion squad, and as a senior he helped lead the team to a 16-5 overall record.
In the athletic arena Stu was known as a hardworking, dependable teammate. He was a quiet student who led by example. After graduation, Stu served in Korea.
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Harry "Dinty" Moore served Burlington High School from 1925 to 1958. His 33 years as Athletic Director, physical education teacher, driver's education teacher, football coach, and basketball coach made him a special person to the student athletes of BHS.
The winning record compiled by "Dinty" Moore was enviable, but was only a small indication of his effectiveness as a coach and teacher. "Dinty" was not one to rest on his laurels or to talk a good game. In his own humble way he guided the lives of scores of young people who cherished the fond memories of his patient understanding. There are many people who influence our lives in one way or another, but we can truly say that Burlington High School is a better school for having had Coach Moore on the staff.
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Dr. Mike Dussault has been an important member of Burlington High School Athletics for over 25 years. Mike was a pioneer in providing athletic training services for high school athletics. He has spent immeasurable time and energy working to provide services and equipment for BHS student athletes. He gave up many Friday evenings in the fall walking the sidelines as team physician at BHS football games. He is always willing to help students and coaches with questions related to training, conditioning, and rehabilitation issues.
Mike was a founding member of the Burlington High School Athletic Association. Over the past twenty years he has worked with the Athletic Association to help raise thousands of dollars to help support Burlington High School Athletic programs. In addition, he has always been a positive contributor to the annual Golf Outing and helped make it one of the Athletic Association's biggest fund-raisers.
Mike was instrumental in helping to get the Burlington youth football program off the ground in 1999 and served on the original board of directors. In honor of Dr. Dussault's hard work, the local youth football program adopted the nickname "Spiders" in honor of Mike's alma mater the University of Richmond.
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Neal Miller was a 1957 graduate of Burlington High School, participated in many activities and clubs. During his junior year he served as class president and was named prom king. Neal competed in football, basketball, and baseball. His junior and senior year the Demons won the SLC basketball champions. Upon graduation, Neal went on to attend Carroll College were he met his wife Sally. Neal and Sally married the day prior to their college graduation in 1961. They returned to Burlington, where Neal taught and coached football at BHS for two years. Neal then joined his father, Melvin, working in the family's automotive business.
Neal never forgot his educational roots and his years spent at BHS. Neal and Sally have always been supportive of Burlington High School and have understood the importance of extra-curricular activities. Sally and Neal contributed many hours in support of their sons, Chris and Mark, as they participated in football, basketball, and baseball during their own high school careers.
Burlington High School lost one of its biggest fans when Neal Miller passed away in 1987 after a long battle with cancer. In the time since Neal's passing, Sally and her sons have continued to support the mission of Burlington High School Athletics not only financially, but also in the giving of their time and support. As fans, coaches, or active volunteers whether working to run the sideline chains on a Friday night or serving on committees for the Athletic Association or school district, the Miller family continues to be among the most generous donors Burlington High School has had the opportunity to recognize.
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Bill Kazmaier, Class of 1972, participated in football, wrestling, and track during his high school career.
In football Bill was a physically imposing player. As a 6'3" 220 pound fullback he was capable of dominating a game. His sophomore and junior year he played on teams that were part of a 27 game winning streak. During his senior year the squad went undefeated, and Bill earned All-State honors as a fullback. His senior year the Demons averaged 35 points per game to the opposing team's four points.
In wrestling Bill was a two time SLC conference champion and he won a WIAA Regional title his senior year. Bill picked up two more conference championships in track and field by winning the shot put and 100-yard dash. Bill is also a former school record holder in both events.
Upon graduation Bill was introduced to the sport of powerlifting. Being the intense competitor that he was, he went on to become a National and World Super Heavy Weight Powerlifting Champion. Bill was a three-time winner of the "Worlds Strongest Man" contest, and now works with ESPN as a commentator for the annual event. Bill made a name for himself by his legendary feats of strength. During the peak of his career Bill held many world records. He was capable of bench-pressing 661 pounds, squatting 925 pounds, and deadlifting 904 pounds. He held the world record powerlifting total of 2,425 pounds. Bill was the first man to bench-press 600 pounds more than once, and he did it five times. He completed a 400-pound barbell curl, as well as doing 15 repetitions with a 315-pound barbell. The world's "original" strongest man now resides in Alabama where he runs his own gym while selling and endorsing fitness equipment.
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