Please Support The Brendan Burke Scholarship Fund

by Dirk Hoag on Feb 5, 2012 5:00 PM EST in Discussions

2 years ago, Brendan Burke died, shortly after my nephew was born.

There's a bit of a connection there, as my wife had driven up to Indianapolis to be there for the birth, and help her sister through those first few days after delivery. With a massive snow & ice storm on the way, however, her mom advised her to drive back to Nashville before the roads got nasty, rather than stick around. She made it back in time, but the next day, we saw the news that Brendan Burke, son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, died in a weather-related accident on one of central Indiana's many two-lane state roads, one which my wife & I had traveled many times while we lived there.

Brendan Burke was more than just the son of an NHL executive, or a typical student-manager of his college's hockey team, however. This, from a remembrance over at Maple Leafs Hot Stove:

On December 2nd, 2009, Brendan Burke showed the world just what it is to have courage, to have heart. In an article penned by John Buccigross of ESPN, Mr. Burke discussed his life as a closeted homosexual within the closed community of sport, the acceptance of his sexuality by his family and his team, and the hope he had for the breaking down of barriers within the machismo-dominated and homophobic culture of team athletics.

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We all leave behind a legacy, something for which we are remembered long beyond our time. Brendan Burke will be remembered for opening a door which few had the courage to even acknowledge existed, and to not just hold it open but walk right through it and show us there was nothing to be afraid of on the other side, offering hope that we, too, can do the same. Brian Burke has continued to carry his legacy forward, using his celebrity and position of influence to bring greater attention to the flawed manner in which so many segments of society evaluate a human being's worth.

On this second anniversary of Burke's passing, the guys at Maple Leafs Hot Stove are coordinating donations to the Miami University Brendan Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund. You can find all the details right here.

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Not really "all" the details...

I googled “Miami University Brendan Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund” to see how they allocate the donated money, and this is all I found:

“His family has not designated how the scholarship funds should be used yet,” Fenton said. “It was important that his family made this decision, and they are working with the advancement office to determine who will qualify for the scholarship.”

I think they ought to offer more details. It’s not that I think there will be a problem, but that most provide the specifics before taking donations. What percentage of the donated funds will sponsor students, and what will the qualifications be?

by LuvthePreds on Feb 5, 2012 5:40 PM EST reply actions

I’ve got your question in with the guys from MLHS, I know there’s a USA Hockey internship in Burke’s name, but the article you’re quoting from is a year old. I’ll see what we can get on this.

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by Dirk Hoag on Feb 5, 2012 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

It would be great if donations went to a program that’s effective in educating kids against bullying of gays and lesbians. I wonder what age that would be most effective with – middle school before it’s much of an issue?

by LuvthePreds on Feb 5, 2012 9:11 PM EST up reply actions

I’d say middle school, personally. It’s probably more of a problem in high school CURRENTLY, but if they start doing stuff in middle school right now, in theory those kids should go into high school more informed and less interested in bullying LGBT kids. Wouldn’t hurt to do both, though. Kids can always do with reminders.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Feb 5, 2012 9:27 PM EST up reply actions

PS

Thanks for asking them.

by LuvthePreds on Feb 5, 2012 9:12 PM EST up reply actions

That is a phenomenal article.

It’s really heart-warming to see how supportive everyone (family and teammates alike) was of Brendan, and how little they cared about the fact that he was gay. I have several close friends who are gay, and one of them played hockey after a while – I’d bet for the exact same reasons. This is an issue that is very, very close to my heart, and I absolutely love that Brendan’s story is getting around. It’s terrible that he died so young, but wonderful that his dad is still open and willing to talk about his life.

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Feb 5, 2012 6:10 PM EST reply actions