Mike Burton
SASA Role: Invited Guest
Conference Coordinator: GNAC/NAIA (10 years)
Officiating Experience: 36 Years
Notes: Mike Burton’s storied 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 channel 9 and PEMCO Insurance for excellence in education.
Mike’s career as a debate coach began in Auburn and concluded at Eastside Catholic. Both programs received national recognition. Below are some of the awards and accomplishments he and his teams received:
1995 Teacher of the Year for the State of Washington
National Speech and Debate Hall of Fame (First person from the NW elected)
Five Diamond National Speech and Debate League Coach
Bruno Jacob Lifetime Award for Service to Forensics Education
2014 PLU Alumni of the Year
1995 NW NFHS Instructor of the Year
2000 NFHS National Citation Award for Officiating
University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions Hall of Fame
2007 National Speech and Debate League “Living Legends Award”
2007 Bronx Achievement Award
2004 Minnesota Coaches Golden Apple for Excellent in Forensic
Thirty-six State Championships and Three National Champions in Speech and Debate
Mike shaped policy and program 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:
Executive Board National Speech and Debate League 1996-2000
WIAA Forensics Committee for 14 years
National Catholic Forensics League Executive Committee
Washington Officials Association Executive Board 1985-2007
WOA Rating and Senior Seminar Chairperson from 2001 to 2011
18 year state rules interpreter in football for the WOA/WIAA
President of the National Federation of Officials in 1998
Nine state championship and five semi-final games in a 36 year football officiating career
National Championship game in NAIA and two national semi-finals in NCAA as an on-field official
Supervisor of two National Championship Football Officiating crews for NCAA DIII in 2009 and NAIA in 2013
2000 National Federation Citation Award Winner for Officiating Excellence
Football Commissioner for the Northwest Intercollegiate Football Officials 1995 to present
2009 Washington Officials Association Hall of Fame
2009 WIAA Hall of Fame in both officiating and speech and debate