MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Chowan University President, Dr. Rosemary M. Thomas, announced on March 26th the hiring of Rob Burke as the university’s next Director of Athletics. Burke will become the school’s 11th Director of Athletics since transitioning to a four-year institution and 4th in the school’s D2 history. 

President Thomas shared that, “Rob Burke brings a proven record of leadership, integrity, and deep commitment to student-athlete success to this role. We are confident his vision and energy will elevate Chowan Athletics and strengthen our culture of excellence both on and off the fields of play.” 

Burke will maintain his position as Head Men’s Basketball Coach while also serving in the role as Director of Athletics. Burke brings with him 26 years of coaching experience at all levels of basketball, giving him invaluable experience that will assist him in his new journey as Director of Athletics. 

“I am honored and especially thankful for this opportunity to impact Chowan University in a different light,” said Burke. “I understand the leaders that have come before me and I am humbled to take on the challenges in this collegiate environment.”

Burke, a 1999 Chowan graduate, returns home, this time on the sidelines.  Burke played for his father, legendary Chowan head coach Bob Burke, from 1995-1999, where he ranks in the top-10 in Chowan’s Division III program history in three point field goals made, assists, and points.

“Chowan is unique in how we impact student athletes,” continued Burke. “This university impacted my entire 25-year career in so many different ways. I hope to take on the challenge of the new age student-athlete in helping them have the same type of experience that I had as a student-athlete here.”

“I am excited to lead our team of coaches and to continue the building process of each program here at Chowan. I know this will be a major task but with the guidance and expertise of our Deputy Athletic Director Meredith Long and the remaining athletic administrative staff, I know we can continue to meet the needs of our student athletes”.

“Rob and I have known one another since we were 18 years old when we were student-athletes ourselves here at Chowan,” said Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director. “Rob brings energy and enthusiasm to our department and experiences on a lot of other college campuses that will help us as we nurture and continue to grow our department in the coming years. This transition will be as smooth as it can be because we have an excellent support staff, starting at the top with our President, Dr. Thomas,  and trickling down into each department on this campus.” 

Prior to coming back to Chowan, Burke was the assistant men’s basketball coach at Division III Colorado College for one season under Coach Conarroe.

Burke spent four seasons at UNC Wilmington climbing the ranks within the program starting as the director of basketball operations in 2017 before being promoted to assistant coach during the 2018-19 campaign, and later served as the interim head coach for the latter half of the 2019-20 season.  Burke would go 5-8 as the interim while helping Shykeim Phillips to an All-CAA Rookie Team selection.

Prior to arriving in Wilmington, Burke served as the director of basketball operations at Georgia Southern for two seasons. 

Before moving up the ranks in the Division I level, Burke spent six seasons (2004-10) at NJCAA Spartanburg Methodist, where he guided the Pioneers to a 112-67 overall record, averaging 19 wins a season.  Burke was named Region X Coach of the Year in 2008-09 and sent 32 players to Division I and II.

Burke spent the 2008 summer as a pro staff skill development trainer for the Nike Regional Skills Academy.

Prior to becoming a head coach, Burke spent two seasons at Campbell (2002-04) as an assistant coach and two seasons at Limestone (2000-02).

Burke was a four-year member of the then-Chowan College, where he ranks in the top-10 in program history in made three-point field goals and in assists.  Burke graduated from Chowan in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration.