Hall of Fame
BIOGRAPHY
JEROME BURNS '44
One of the legendary athletes from the early days of Catholic Central, Jerry Burns was a fiery 2nd Baseman who lead the 1944 Shamrocks to the Catholic High School League (CHSL) and City Titles. Jerry was also Leading Scorer and Captain of the 1944 Shamrock Basketball Team that won the CHSL Division Championship and made it to the State Semi-Finals. After graduation, Jerry joined the U.S. Navy and served with distinction for two years. After his tour of duty, Jerry enrolled at the University of Michigan and played football from 1947 - 1950 where, as a quarterback, he helped the Wolverines win 4 Big Ten Titles and the 1951 Rose Bowl. After college, Jerry began a long and successful career in coaching, beginning at the University of Hawaii in 1951, then Whittier College in 1952. In 1953, Basketball 1944 Jerry returned to his hometown of Detroit, where he became Head Basketball and Football Coach at St. Mary of Redford High School. In 1954, Jerry returned to the collegiate ranks at the University of Iowa, first as Assistant 1954-1960, then as Head Football Coach from 1961-1965. Jerry entered professional football in 1966, as Defensive Backs Coach for the Green Bay Packers, helping the Packers earn victories in Super Bowls I and Il. In 1968 he became the Offensive Coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings, a position he held until 1985. During those years, his Viking teams played in 4 Super Bowls and won 11 Central Division Titles. Jerry was Head Coach of the Vikings from 1986 - 1991. Jerry was inducted into the Minnesota Viking Ring of Honor in 2005.
SPORTS
Baseball 1944Â
Basketball 1944
