Dennis "Pete" Burge (1913-1978)
Louisiana State University's Forgotten Athletic Hero
Dennis F. “Pete” Burge (1913–1978) was a three-sport star athlete at Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1933–1934. Pete was the starting right end for football; the starting center / forward for basketball, and a 220 / 440 sprinter for the track team. His 1933 LSU track team was undefeated, and earned an invitation to the National Collegiate Championship in Chicago. In a stunning upset, LSU defeated the heavily-favored University of Southern California and was crowned National Track Champions.
The team was rewarded with 14k white gold Gruen Tank wristwatches, each custom engraved with their names:
(“D. F. Burge”) ~ “LSU ~ National Track Champions ~ 1933”
After graduation in 1934, Pete had a long and incredibly successful career as a high school football & basketball coach. Two of his most famous proteges were Army's legendary All-American tailback Doc Blanchard, and Green Bay Packer's Hall of Famer Jim Taylor.
Despite these achievements, Pete is forgotten. He is not a member of LSU's Hall of Fame -- though five of his fellow 1933 track mates are.
In January 2024, Pete's Gruen Championship watch was returned to Shane Wells -- one of LSUs most loyal & dedicated fans.