ST. AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL
Winston J. Burns Sr. Fo o t b a l l C l a s s i c
The St. Augustine High School 1st Annual Winston J. Burns Sr. Football Classic will be held on Saturday, September 22, at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans, La. The Classic, which features the Purple Knights vs. the Jesuit Blue Jays, was recently created to honor and recognize Mr. Burns for his dedicated service and lifelong commitment to the vision, ideals, and overall success of St. Augustine High School. Proceeds from the Classic will also continue to fund the Winston and Gretta Burns Scholarship Fund that was created by the family several years ago and continues to support deserving young men in pursuit of a quality education. Mr. Burns, a recipient of the Children’s Defense Fund Award for his contributions and commitment to New Orleans youth, was a respected and accomplished educator and coach for more than 30 years. He was a United States Marine who served during World War II and the Korean War earning the Congressional Gold Medal for his service. “The Burns family is legendary among the St. Augustine High School community,” said Dr. Kenneth St. Charles, President and CEO of St. Augustine High School. “We’re honored that they continue to seek ways to support our students, our academic programs, and our athletic and extracurricular endeavors. We are especially appreciative to all of the sponsors who joined together to ensure this annual football classic celebrates the life of Mr. Burns as well as ensures deserving students are able to receive a great education.” Dedicated to community service Mr. Burns was a longtime volunteer at St. Augustine High School. His St. Augustine roots are much deeper than just his time on campus as a parent and volunteer. His sons, Ronald Burns, Sr. ’69, Burton Burns ’71, Brian Burns, Sr., ’74 and Winston Burns, Jr., ’78 all graduated from St. Augustine High School before launching their own successful careers. Burns’ grandsons Brandon Gueno ’95, Damon Burns ’99, Ronald “Vinnie” Burns Jr. ’00, Brian Burns Jr. ’02, and Jason Burns ’02, all attended St. Augustine as well.
A lifelong New Orleanian, Mr. Burns graduated from Xavier Preparatory School and Xavier University, where he majored in health and physical education. As head football and track coach at Carter G. Woodson Middle School and Booker T. Washington High School, he won several championships. Mr. Burns later began a new career in public service as a Court Crier in Juvenile Court for the Parish of Orleans for 25 years. Mr. Burns was a member of the Xavier Prep Alumni Association, the Townsmen Social Aid and Pleasure Club, and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He passed away in 2016.