Colorado University Athletics
Burianek Turns A One-Day Assist Into A Hall of Fame Career
The third of 11 CU Athletic Hall of Fame profiles, leading up to induction ceremonies on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Coors Events Center. This year's class will also be honored during the Colorado-Stanford football game on Saturday, Nov. 7. Click here to see the CU Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015. Click here for induction ceremony information and registration.
BOULDER GÇö Jon Burianek spent 38 years working in the University of ColoradoGÇÖs athletic department after stumbling into a job as a student. He agreed to help a friend at a track meet one afternoon, and a year later was hired as the ticket manager for basketball.
Now he is being inducted into the CU Athletic Hall of Fame.
GÇ£I got in by accident, but it was a good accident,GÇ¥ Burianek said. GÇ£I recovered well.GÇ¥
Though Burianek never planned to work in sports GÇö he was a Chemistry major at CU GÇö he fell in love and stayed with CUGÇÖs athletic department for his entire career. His 38 years in the department ranks third all-time in tenure. Harry Carlson, CUGÇÖs first athletic director, also worked for 38 years and Frank Potts spent 41 years as the coach for the cross country and track teams.
GÇ£I wish I couldGÇÖve been here more,GÇ¥ he said. GÇ£I was lucky enough to work around a lot of amazing people, Hall of Famers when I started.GÇ¥
Some of the Hall of Famers included William GÇ£KayoGÇ¥ Lam, Dal Ward, Potts, Fred Casotti, Don Myers and Frank Prentup, who is also being inducted (posthumously) this year. Burianek said a long list of GÇ£incredibleGÇ¥ coaches and faculty members helped him during his time at CU, and the people were the best part of working in the athletic department.
GÇ£I had a pretty easy start because I had a lot of great people around me,GÇ¥ said Burianek.
After serving as ticket manager, Burianek became an assistant athletic director in 1979, a position that included duties as the departmentGÇÖs business manager. In his last 24 years at CU, he served as the associate athletic director for internal affairs, and on July 1, 1999, he was named senior associate athletic director. Burianek retired in 2006, but still helps out the department at home football games when heGÇÖs not at Missouri Baptist University watching his son, Jason, coach.
GÇ£I think they were all good and I enjoyed parts of my time in each one,GÇ¥ Burianek said of his many positions. GÇ£As you move along there was more responsibility, but I also had more staff to help with things. That made it fun and I just look at it all just being fun.GÇ¥
His position also spilled into serving in many other roles, most notably as one of the key figures in Denver hosting three NCAA menGÇÖs basketball regionals and the 1990 Final Four. The latter was wedged in-between two Orange bowls where CU played for the national championship, and he organized most aspects of both trips.
Burianek served as president and as an officer for 20 years on the Collegiate Athletic Business Management Association board in addition to his work at CU, and said he learned quite a bit from talking with other schoolsGÇÖ athletic departments to figure out the best strategies.
He also was awarded an GÇ£Honorary CGÇ¥ during his time at CU. The awards are given out to people who have supported and contributed to CU athletics in ways other than being an athlete.
GÇ£I got an actual letter C,GÇ¥ Burianek said. GÇ£I have it on a plaque and itGÇÖs a very special thing. I always had it in my office when I was working.GÇ¥
Now Burianek is receiving one of the highest honors an athlete, coach, or administrator can receive: being in the Hall of Fame. He recognizes just how special the honor is and he was overwhelmed by emotions just talking about it.
GÇ£When (Rick George, athletic director) called me, I cried,GÇ¥ Burianek said. GÇ£ItGÇÖs something I never ever dreamed of happening. Never. It was a labor of love.GÇ¥
His labor of love made Burianek one of the most dedicated and skilled administrators the CU athletic department has ever seen. From his days just starting out to his current volunteer status, he has stayed committed to the department, making him well deserving of being in the Hall of Fame.
GÇ£IGÇÖm not rushing it at all,GÇ¥ Burianek said of the process of being inducted. GÇ£I'm looking forward to it, but IGÇÖm just taking it as it comes and IGÇÖm going to enjoy every minute of it.GÇ¥
He will be just the third inductee in CUGÇÖs Hall who was not at any point a coach or an athlete, joining Casotti (sports information/administration) and Larry Zimmer (the longtime radio voice of the Buffaloes).