By: Evan Ryan, Athletic Communications Intern
In order for one to achieve greatness, one must believe in him or herself. One must have a competitive edge that’s going to push through when the odds are against them. Undoubtedly, when you give one hundred percent to something, the return can be so much greater than the input.
For a few individual athletes, the State University of New York at New Paltz has recently applauded and honored their type of dedication. As we honor these athletes, one individual among the group stands out for her out-spoken competitive personality.
On Friday, October 10, 2014, Jill (Tournour) Burke and five other former athletes at the College will be inducted into the New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame. This will mark the College’s 18th class that has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, which includes 70 athletes and six teams currently.
Burke, who graduated New Paltz in 1992, found great success while attending the College. As a student-athlete, Burke was a communication and management major and competed for the women’s swimming & diving team.
As a member of the swim team, Burke competed at a level many would dream of. Burke, who was a short-distance swimmer, competed in the 400 individual medley, the 200 individual medley and the 200 butterfly. In just her sophomore year in 1989-90, Burke was a SUNYAC champion in the 400 individual medley. She captured the 400 individual medley title two more times and added a conference championship in the 200 individual medley in 1991. Currently, Burke holds the seventh-best time in program history in the 400 individual medley and the 14th-best time in the 200 individual medley. Burke would also have to step in and compete in the diving competitions at times.
As a Long Island native from North Massapequa, N.Y., Burke was a multi-sport athlete growing up. Having played both softball and basketball at an early age, Burke was able to discover her true competitiveness. While these sports brought forth specific skills, swimming was what Burke described as the only sport she felt she had control over in terms of her success.
“With swimming, if I lost, I was the only one to blame,” Burke says. “I loved the competition.”
Burke contributes a lot of her success in life to several key individuals. From siblings and parents, to coaches, and teammates, Burke was always being pushed to achieve more.
As a sibling growing up, Burke was always competing against both her brother and sister. Since the three of them all swam, Burke made sure she was always competing at her fullest to improve her ability as a swimmer. Burke notes that because her sister was two years older, and a role model, she found it as a means to constantly work hard and excel in the sport. This would hold true when just as a seventh grader, Burke competed on the varsity squad at Farmingdale High School.
At New Paltz, Burke attributes a lot of her success to her teammates and coaches. At the time, the women’s program was in its first few years and had only six female swimmers. Though the program was just starting to take stride, Burke realized that this was her opportunity to shine. What made it easier for Burke was the support of the upperclassmen. Susan Cooney, a junior swimmer at the time, was very willing to help Burke.
“They just took me under their wing,” Burke says, referring to Cooney and other female upperclassmen.
Burke describes the influence of Coach Stockin as a major factor.
“He brought, I felt, my swimming to the next level,” Burke says. “He just motivated you.”
Another factor that Burke suggests is her will to compete, which she says she has always had. Stepping up to the plate to prove that a women’s team could be sustained here at the College, Burke knew what was riding on the team’s shoulders. This motivated Burke to constantly give her utmost best in practice and competition. She embraced the challenge and knew she would be a pioneer for the program.
After New Paltz, Burke moved back home to Long Island. While home, Burke was able to successfully manage a company called Nutrisystem, which provides weight-loss products and services. At this time, Burke had already met her soon-to-be husband, Christian. Christian E. Burke, a former New Paltz soccer player, graduated from the College in 1990. After the two were engaged, they moved back to the New Paltz area, where Jill says she “she loves living up here.”
Burke, an active member of the New Paltz community, volunteers her time in the school district’s PTA organization and New Paltz Athletic Association at the High School. The Burkes also are active donors to the College, donating generously throughout the years.
When asked about her recent induction to the Hall of Fame, Burke comments by saying: “I am very humbled. I think this is such an amazing honor. Whatever I do, volunteering or anything, I give 100%.”
The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place Friday, October 10, 2014. There will be a reception from 6-6:45 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. dinner and ceremony. The dinner and ceremony will take place in the College's Multi-Purpose Room in the Student Union Building, while the reception will occur in the lobby outside of the room.
