St. Lawrence University Athletics

A U.S. Navy pilot who was killed in a night flying accident in Florida in 1941, John Burger and his athletic ability and character are memorialized by the “John Burger Award” which is presented annually to the outstanding lineman on the St. Lawrence football team.

An intense and dedicated athlete, John was captain of the football team as a senior and played center on offense and linebacker on defense. He was a three-year starter in football and was also an outstanding defenseman on the hockey team, which was brought back as a varsity sport for the 1938-39 season after an eight-year hiatus.

Captain of the undefeated 1936 freshman football team, he was a three year starting center and linebacker in football and was a three year member of the L Club. A member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, he became the first St. Lawrence alumnus to die in World War II.