Began at Illinois:

July, 1999

Education:

He earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois in 1999.

Responsibilities:

Burson was elevated to Associate Athletics Director in April 2023. Now in his third year leading the Illinois Athletics Communication office, he oversees its nine-person staff and budget, is spokesperson for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA), and coordinates all strategic communication efforts for the athletics department and DIA administration initiatives.

Burson continues to spearhead publicity and serve as media liaison for the Fighting Illini men’s basketball program in his current role. He also represents DIA with the university-wide chief communications officers, is Illinois' contact for the Big Ten Network, and assists the department on a number of projects which include leading the selection process for student-athlete awards, planning for The Oskees annual scholar-athlete banquet, media services for NCAA events hosted by Illinois, and handling materials for the Mannie L. Jackson Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame.

Burson is in his 27th year overall as a member of the Illinois athletics communication office – owning the sixth-longest active DIA tenure – and his third year directing the unit as Associate AD. He has covered the Illini men’s basketball team since his first year in the department (1999-2000 season) and has been the program's primary contact since 2007, which is the second-longest tenure among Big Ten men's basketball sports information directors.

During his career, Fighting Illini Basketball has had 13 All-America selections (seven consensus), won five regular season Big Ten championships and four Big Ten Tournament championships, and participated in 16 NCAA Tournaments, highlighted by a trip to the NCAA Championship game in 2005.

Burson is a member of College Sports Communicators, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Football Writers Association of America.

Past Experience:

Burson was previously promoted to Assistant AD for Communication in October 2013, following three years in the role of associate sports information director from September 2010 to September 2013. He was an assistant SID for nine years from May 2001 through August 2010 after beginning his career in the sports information office in July 1999 with a nearly two-year postgraduate internship.

Burson was a member of the Illinois Basketball Centennial, Memorial Stadium Renaissance, and State Farm Center Renaissance committees, and he previously served as athletics communication contact for the Illinois volleyball, golf, track & field, and cross country teams while assisting with Fighting Illini Football. In 2013 and 2021, he was the communications director for the NCAA Div. I Men's and Women's Tennis Championships, hosted by the University of Illinois.

Personal:

A native of Pekin, Illinois, Burson and his wife, Karry, reside in Mahomet with their daughter, Aubrey, and son, Evan. Karry earned her master's degree from the University of Illinois, and Aubrey is a current U of I student.

The Bursons are also overprotective caregivers to a supermutt, Addi (ten-sixty), and German sheprador, Charlie (Sir Charles).

Updated August 2025