Mobile, Ala., native Mike Burch led the Eagles back to prominence on the gridiron in the mid-1980s with both toughness and smarts.
Originally a signee of the University of Alabama, Burch transferred to Hinds in 1986. A season later, he led an offense that ranked among the best junior colleges in the nation. He helped account for 3,457 total yards, including 1,761 passing, during a 10-3 sophomore season that resulted in the college’s first South State championship and first bowl berth in 30 years.
Athletic Director GeneMurphy, who at the time was in his first season as head coach, termed Burch as one of the toughest quarterbacks he ever coached – one that could beat a defense with his arm, his feet and his head. He was selected to both the first-team All-State and first-team All-Region 23, as well as an honor- able mention on the junior college All-America team. The 5,218 total yards the offense racked up during Burch’s two seasons in Raymond is still a record.
After Hinds, he transferred to Emporia State University, in Kansas, where in 1989 he led his team to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national championship game.
