Burka

SLIPPERY ROCK — Jade Burka cracks a smile and shakes his head at the absurdity of it all.

Burka, a Butler High graduate, came to Slippery Rock University to play football.

He's going to leave The Rock as one of the most active basketball players.

“I've been here forever,” Burka said. “It's been a crazy ride. Leaving high school, I never expected to be here at this point. I've loved every step of it, though. That's why I decided to stay here when football didn't work out.”

Burka play football at Butler until his senior year, but fell in love it.

In turn, SRU football coach George Mihalik fell in love with Burka's size and quickness — the skills that made the 6-foot-7, 235-pound forward such a force on the hardwood for the Golden Tornado.

But things on the gridiron for The Rock didn't turn out as well as Burka or Mihalik had hoped.

Basketball, though, was still beckoning Burka.

“I was just grateful to have the opportunity here to play basketball,” Burka said. “Sometimes things happen for a reason.”

Burka graduated with a degree in public relations and had job offers in that field, but he opted to enroll in graduate school at The Rock and return to the court.

No one was more pleased about Burka's return than coach Kevin Reynolds.

“That was one of the biggest things that happened to this program this summer, when Jade decided to come back,” Reynolds said.

Burka's contributions aren't made on the stat sheet — he's averaging 3.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. But as far as being a leader and providing intangibles, Burka has been The Rock's MVP this season.

“There's not a lot of guys who would accept the role he has,” Reynolds said. “Some days he plays (15 minutes), some days he plays 20 and some days he plays eight. And he never complains.”

Burka doesn't mind his role. In fact, he relishes it.

“I honestly don't have to do much — these guys are pretty disciplined,” Burka said. “I just try to get the guys fired up.”

In Saturday's home loss to Mercyhurst, Burka played his 90th game, second in school history behind teammate Joe Vines (97 games).

“Never in a million years did I expect to be here,” Burka said. “I just want to make the most of my final year.”