Reporter staff
Mike Burton, former English teacher and speech and debate coach at Auburn High School, is among 12 individuals that have been selected for the 2015 class of the National High School Hall of Fame.
Burton will be inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) National High School Hall of Fame July 2 at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans.
The Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, administrators, performing arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in high school sports and activity programs.
This year’s class increases the number of individuals in the hall to 435. Burton will be the eighth speech and debate coach honored since 1982.
Burton’s career spans four decades in an array of stellar programs and services such as forensics, baseball, national boards and officiating.
In addition, he was a master teacher who received the coveted Golden Apple Award from KCTS Channel 9 and PEMCO Insurance for excellence in education.
Burton’s career as a debate coach included 25 years in the Auburn School District, at Olympic Junior High and then Auburn High School, and concluded at Eastside Catholic School. Both programs received national recognition.
Some of the awards and accomplishments he and his teams received: Bruno Jacob for Service; University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions Hall of Fame; 36 state championships; 1995 Northwest National Federation High Schools (NFHS) Instructor of the Year; 2000 NFHS National Citation Award for Officiating; 2004 Minnesota Coaches Golden Apple for Excellence in Forensics; 2007 National Forensic League Living Legends Award; and the 2007 Bronx Achievement Award.
Burton shaped policy and programs throughout the state and nation with his leadership, service and expertise. His contributions in forensics and officiating are unprecedented.
During his career, he has served in the following capacities: Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Forensics Committee (14 years); National Catholic Forensics League Executive Committee; Football Commissioner for the Northwest Intercollegiate Football Officials; Executive Board National Forensics League 1996-2000; Washington Officials Association Executive Board 1985-2007; President of the National Federation of Officials in 1998; 2000 National Federation Citation Award Winner for Officiating Excellence; and the 2009 Washington Officials Association Hall of Fame.
Burton and one of his officiating crews worked the NCAA Division III Stagg Bowl, and he was recognized nationally as one of the finest officials in college football today.
