Class of 2014

Born January 21, 1979 in Kenilworth, New Jersey, Patrick 'Packy' Burke got an early start in wrestling. Under the guidance of his father, Jim, Burke started wrestling at the age of 5 with a small club based in Unatego, New York coached by Jim Shear. At the age of 8, the Burke family moved to Cooperstown, New York where Burke joined Team Mustang Wrestling Club (West Winfield) coached by Bernie Drake.

Throughout the years, Burke gained experience and excelled as a wrestler. Burke was a varsity starter for the Cooperstown Central High School wrestling team beginning in 7th grade, and he quickly proved to be a top wrestler. Named to the Cooperstown Central High School Hall of Fame in 2011, Burke holds the winningest record for Cooperstown Central with a career record of 192 wins and just 16 losses. In addition to participating and medaling in multiple Empire State Games, Burke finished second in the 119 pound weight class in the New York State Championship in 1997 under the coaching of then Cooperstown coach, Jim Jordan. As a senior, Burke took first place in the 130 pound weight class in the 1998 New York State Championship finishing the season undefeated.

Burke went on to join Coach Mike Fusilli with the Binghamton University wrestling team after finishing high school in 1998. Burke continued to enjoy many successes in college as a member of the wrestling team serving as Captain for the Binghamton Bearcats. Upon graduation from Binghamton, Burke moved with many of his college wrestling buddies to Charleston, South Carolina to enjoy the warm weather and Lowcountry beaches. After spending several years in Charleston, Burke moved just outside of the city to Walterboro, South Carolina. Burke's parents, Jim and Gayle, also relocated to Walterboro from Cooperstown, and together, they run the family optical business.

As a new resident of Walterboro, Burke sought ways to share his passion for wrestling in the community. In 2007, Burke joined the newly founded Colleton County High School wrestling program as an assistant coach. After spending several years assisting then Head Coach, John Locke, Burke replaced Locke as Head Coach in 2012. During his time with the Colleton County High School, the wrestling team has grown in talent and in numbers. Beginning with only a varsity wrestling team, Burke helped to add Middle School and JV teams to the Colleton County wrestling program in 2013. Burke, with his father, Jim, and good friend, Richard Massey, form a coaching team dedicated to the cultivation of hard working, successful athletes, all the while endeavoring to promote the sport of wrestling in a community fairly new to the sport.

In addition to his work with the high school and middle school teams, Burke runs a youth wrestling program, Walterboro Takedown Club, with his longtime coaching partner, Richard. Starting the youth program in 2007, Burke focuses on teaching youth, ages 4 to 14, fundamentals building a strong foundation for the future success of the young wrestlers.

In the 'offseason', Packy enjoys golfing, competitively running, playing soccer in an adult league, going to the beach, and spending time with his fiance, Eileen, and dog, Nelson.