Robert “Bob” Burns

Class of 1967 Bob Burns was named as a Prep All-America Football player in 1966, his senior year as the Ottawa High School Varsity quarterback. He also received All-State honors. He was co-captain of the 9 and 0, 1966-67 football team that has been previously inducted into the Ottawa Township High School Hall of Fame. As quarterback, he threw for 1,567 yards during his nine-game senior season, a record which still stands. Bob was also a two-year starter on the Ottawa High basketball team, and a standout track athlete. He was in the national honor society, and represented Ottawa High School at Boys State. Bob Burns received an athletic scholarship to the University of Illinois to play football, was switched to wide receiver, earned three Varsity letters, and started in both his junior and senior years. After graduation from the University of Illinois, Bob began teaching and coaching at Hillcrest High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He coached both basketball and football for six years, and served for three years as the head football coach, winning a regional championship and playing in the state tournament. He then moved to Park City, Utah as the head football coach. He took over a struggling program and within two years defeated both arch-rival teams, and played for the state championship in his third year. During his tenure the school won seven regional championships, reached the state semi-finals seven times, and won two state championships. He also coached tennis, winning four state championships in five years. The Utah Football Officials Association selected him as Coach of the Year in 1980 and the Utah High School Activities Association selected him as 3A Class Coach of the Year in 1993. He also was elected and served as President of the Utah Football Coaches Association for two years.