Linda Burgess To Be Enshrined In Athletic Hall Of Fame
MADISON- “I feel this honor is another chapter in my career book of accomplishments.”
That’s how Linda Burgess felt when she received word she will be among the 2019 inductees into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall Of Fame on April 15 in Huntsville.
The former Bob Jones superstar basketball player has added many chapters to her life career since she exited Bob Jones in 1988 after gaining All-State status averaging over 30 points and 20 rebounds per game and headed into college basketball, first at Calhoun Community College where she was a two-time All American and then becoming an All-SEC performer for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1991 and 1992.
Her chapters of playing basketball continued playing professionally in both Europe for teams in Israel and Switzerland and landing spots on both the Los Angeles Sparks and Sacramento Monarchs of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In her 90 games in the WNBA, Burgess averaged 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per outing. She retired from professional basketball in 2001.
Burgess said she knew she was different than many others when it came to sports, but had no idea her future would revolve around the sport she played for fun.
“I never gave much thought of making a career in women’s basketball, especially professionally, as I think I was naive,” said Burgess via telephone from her current home in Macon, Ga. “I just didn’t know as I never dreamed I would use basketball to gain an education and establish a career.”
Burgess, now 49, said she easily gives honor where honor is do for her success giving credit for her boost in her life’s direction to her high school coach and fellow Huntsville-Madison County Hall Of Fame inductee Kent Chambers, who has since retired from coaching, but remains a teacher at Bob Jones.
“He took me under his wings and saw potential in me and knew I could be better than I was,” said Burgess. “I believe the Good Lord placed him in my life to lead me and I’m very grateful for him and his guidance. Matter of fact, he’s the person who nominated me for the Hall of Fame. I’ve always said if Coach Chambers had not recognized my potential and made me understand what I could do, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Born in Huntsville just one week after man first walked on the moon, the first steps of her own incredible life journey began with a large family of five children to Charles Sr. and Pankie Burgess. Her older sister, Jennifer, was the first in her family to attend college playing basketball at Alabama A&M after graduating from Bob Jones. Her brother, Charles, Jr., died in the crash of his truck in Huntsville in November of 2016.
“My parents still live in Madison and were very excited to find out about my induction and my sisters all said my place among the Hall of Fame is well deserved,” said Burgess.
Her trek in life also led to coaching basketball and becoming a teacher. She is currently teaching math and science at Central High School in Macon, Ga. She’s been in the Peach State city for 11 years. For six of those years she taught at the Georgia Academy For The Blind.
Burgess is still active loving swimming and biking and enjoys hanging out with friends while being very active in her church. At The “Word Study” Christian Center, she teaches Sunday school, is part of the Women’s Ministries and is a Praise Leader.
Burgess understands gaining her college degree at the University of Alabama, playing professional basketball and having a loving family are part of those chapters in her life. Gaining a spot in the Huntsville-Madison Athletic Hall Of Fame as the first female athlete from Bob Jones to earn such an honor is another chapter where she honestly feels awestruck.
“I was baffled by this honor at first, but when I stopped and thought of how Coach Chambers helped me see the light of my future, I, too, saw how I’ve done well in my life,” said Burgess. “I am honored to be alongside those already enshrined and who have accomplished their place in the Hall of Fame.”
