Photo By G. Anthonie Riis | Bob Burrow's wife, sons and grandchildren gather around the plaque that will adorn the...... read more read more
Fort Knox High School rededicated the school gymnasium in a Sept. 6 ceremony commemorating Robert ‘Bob’ Burrow, who many Kentuckians remember as an All American basketball star.
For several Fort Knox former staff and alumni, Burrow was remembered affectionately as their longtime coach, teacher, principal and superintendent. He died in Franklin, Tennessee, Jan. 3 at the age of 84.
Burrow’s death created a groundswell among the thousands of his students who passed through the school during his tenure and unanimous support for the name change.
When Burrow left Fort Knox High School in 1994 after nearly 40 years of service, his students said he left some big shoes to fill.
Burrow was an imposing force even before arriving at Fort Knox.
The 6-foot, 7-inch former All-American basketball star played for the University of Kentucky under Adolph Rupp, and he set basketball records in a state known for them.
A star on both sides of the court, Burrow averaged 20 points a game, and his 1,023 points for the two seasons he played for UK ranks 56th highest at the school. His rebound record of 34 in one game has been tied but still stands to this day.
After two years of professional basketball, with the Rochester Royals and then the Minnesota Lakers, Burrow joined the ranks of Fort Knox High School as a teacher and coach.
Burrow was known to take personal interest in his students and their journey into adulthood, and one of them he helped guide back to her alma mater.
“He created a path for me to follow, and then, I feel, he stepped out of the way,” said Dr. Youlanda Washington, DoDEA Kentucky Community superintendent and Class of 1973 alumnus. “He told me as a high school student, ‘I want you to do great things. I want you to be a model student, and I want you to lead in this society called school’ – and then he’d turn back and say, ‘If you don’t, I’ll talk to your mama.’”
She said that Burrow’s relationship with her mother served as a constant reminder that spurred her on.
“From 1970 when I was in school to 1992 when I became principal, he had me shaking in my boots, wondering what in the world he was telling my mama,” Washington said. “Once when he told me that he was chatting with my mama, I asked, ‘What is it that you’re telling my mama?’ He answered, ‘In all these years, we’ve only mentioned your name once. The important thing I wanted to know was what was on your mama’s racing form and what bets was she making!”
She also said Burrow came clean in a moment of uncharacteristic vulnerability.
“I want you to know that I have held you to a standard all your life, for one day you will sit where I sit,” Washington recalled. “You’ll never be as tall as I am, but I want you to be tall in character for everything you do when you step into that position.”
Those conversations drove her.
“I didn’t want to disappoint my mama, and I definitely didn’t want to disappoint Mr. Burrow.”
The sentiment was common among many students under Burrow’s charge.
“This place is part of your ‘Army brat’ heritage, and I know of no person who better symbolizes this place than Bob Borrow – the man we called the ‘big guy,’” said Doug Simmons, from the Class of 1975. “Fifty years ago, [he] moved down these corridors like an express train roaring down the track. He towered above his flock, and the mass of students would move aside to let him pass, like Moses parting the Red Sea.”
Simmons said there was something more than appearances about Burrow.
“They don’t name gymnasiums after guys just because they’re big. We name places and put up plaques to remember people who affected our lives in positive ways – people who molded us, who cared about us, people who built a road to our future,” Simmons said. “I’m so sorry that these young people will never get the chance to know Bob, but by this dedication, they will get to know of him.”
In a community full of heroes, Simmons said, a memorial to Burrow at Fort Knox speaks volumes.
“We grew up surrounded by Soldiers. Courage was worn on their chests, openly on display for all of us to see. But, on this day and in this place, the children of Soldiers give our final salute to a civilian,” said Simmons. “He never wore a badge of rank, never wore a military uniform. He never saw war. Instead, he wore a suit and tie and called himself teacher, coach and principal, and his battlefields were in the classrooms of Fort Knox High.
“His Soldiers were thousands of ‘Army brats,’ and his victory was providing us a future.”
Fort Knox Garrison Commander Col. C.J. King said Burrow’s legacy was alive and well at Fort Knox, and his students made that apparent.
“These educators reach out and touch our military children, and Dr. Washington has been very impactful to my son during his time here,” King said. “Mr. Burrow [influenced] Dr. Washington, and she reaches out to them. Directly, Mr. Burrow impacted thousands of students – generations, if you will. I suspect those numbers continue to grow as Dr. Washington and you, his students, continue to impact others.”
At the ceremony, former students unveiled a plaque that will adorn the halls at Fort Knox High School. Center court of the gymnasium revealed the gymnasium’s official name change.
| Date Taken: | 09.10.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2019 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 339408 |
| Location: | FORT KNOX, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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