Athletic Director, West Virginia State University
By Portia Smith & Samantha Cart
Growing up in Charleston, WV, Nate Burton was always at a sports field or gym. An all-state basketball and baseball player for Charleston Catholic High School, he went on to play basketball at Washington & Jefferson College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 2009. While he didn’t make it to the NBA, Burton is still celebrated for bringing his determination, dedication and discipline to the game and to the teams he now oversees.
He credits the mentorship of Mike Hamrick, the athletic director at Marshall University, for helping guide his next steps.
“I knew I wanted to work in college athletics,” says Burton. “I had the opportunity to meet with Mike, and we discussed possible careers in the field. After that discussion, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in fundraising. I applied for a graduate assistant position at Marshall working for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation. After the amazing experience I had, I knew it was the right path for me.”
With his new goals in mind, Burton pursued an internship in the athletic department at Clemson University for the IPTAY Scholarship Fund. After graduating from Marshall with a master’s in sports management in 2011, Burton launched his career with High Point University Athletics in North Carolina, where he served as the assistant director of external relations. He later worked as the assistant director for athletic development at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Today, as the athletic director for West Virginia State University (WVSU), his track record of success is undeniable. Since January 2016, he has helped raise private funds to improve the athletic fields at WVSU and has created external programs for annual support and sponsorship that have generated more than $1.75 million. Under his leadership, WVSU Athletics has won eight conference championships and secured four NCAA Tournament berths with two Sweet 16 appearances for the women’s tennis team. The football program has also celebrated three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 40 years. In 2017, Burton received the NCAA Division II Award for Excellence for the Mountain East Conference.
His contributions also include developing the academic side of his student athletes. He introduced academic progress reports with the university faculty, which resulted in a 17% increase in student athletes who achieved a 3.0 or higher GPA.
“I oversee the athletic department’s budget, personnel and game day operations for our 11 NCAA Division II teams and 275 student athletes, and there is truly nothing else I’d rather be doing,” says Burton. “I’ve never thrown a pass or scored a basket for WVSU. The success we’ve had is because of our athletes, coaches, staff and supporters.”
As much as Burton prioritizes winning, his greatest priority is helping student athletes grow and develop so they can contribute to society and their communities when they graduate—something he echoes in his own life.
In the past, he has contributed his time and talent to several community organizations, including fundraising for the March of Dimes and the Walking Miracles Foundation and serving as a board member for the Capitol Market. Today, he advocates for cancer awareness through Real Men Wear Pink, a passion that was inspired by his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2005.
“Fifteen years later, I am happy to say my mom is a survivor,” he says. “My parents, Greg and Kim, have always shown me the importance of being a part of something that is much bigger than myself.”
Burton also serves as a youth leader at Bible Center Church. A man of faith, there is no doubt his involvement in the lives of church youth and student athletes alike has created positive change, and he feels blessed to be able to serve others in his home state of West Virginia. Burton resides in Charleston with his wife, Lauren, and his two children, Bella and Chip.
“I have had the opportunity to live in other states, but the people of West Virginia are what make it so special,” he says.
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
– Erma Bombeck
1 Comment
So proud of you.