Auxford Burks

Bennett Auxford "B. A." Burks, Jr. (January 24, 1883 – February 24, 1938) was a college football player and physician.

Auxford Burks
Burks in his football uniform c. 1905
Alabama Crimson Tide
PositionRunning back
ClassGraduate
Personal information
Born:(1883-01-24)January 24, 1883
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Died:February 24, 1938(1938-02-24) (aged 55)
Orlando, Florida
Career history
CollegeAlabama (1902–1906)
Career highlights and awards

University of Alabama

Burks was a prominent running back for the Alabama Crimson White of the University of Alabama from 1902 to 1906. He was said to be the school's "first running back hero" who would "carry whole teams on his back."[1][2] He was nominated though not selected for an Associated Press All-Time Southeast 1869-1919 era team.[3] At Alabama he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity.[2]

1905

Burks was captain of the 1905 team, selected All-Southern the same year.[4] Burks starred in the opening win of 17 to 0 over Maryville. A number of Alabama turnovers kept the game scoreless through halftime. T. S. Sims scored the first touchdown and Burks added a 95-yard return for a touchdown.[5] "The overworked Burks, who appeared to bear the entire brunt of Alabama's offense,"[6] collapsed on the field during the second half of a 12 to 5 loss to Georgia Tech. Burks scored in the 30 to 0 victory over Auburn in what was then the largest crowd ever to see a game in Birmingham (4,000).[7]

1906

In the Iron Bowl of 1906 he scored all of Alabama's points in a 10 to 0 victory.[8]

High school football

In 1908 he coached the Barton Academy high school football team.[9]

Physician

Burks was the college physician of Rollins College for 12 years.[10] When Rollins opened a 7-bed infirmary in 1933, he and one Dr. Ruth Hart cared for students, assisted by a staff of nurses.

He died of a throat malady on February 24, 1938.[11]

References
  1. "BENNETT AUXFORD BURKS, JR., MD". Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  2. "FOUNDER OF UA FOOTBALL WAS AN ΑΤΩ" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  3. "U-T Greats On All-Time Southeast Team". Kingsport Post. July 31, 1969.
  4. W. R. Tichenor (December 3, 1905). "Football Experts Give Their Selections For An All-Southern Team". The Atlanta Constitution.
  5. Christopher Walsh (September 1, 2007). "Saban's first game one of the most anticipated in Alabama history". Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  6. Wiley Lee Umphlett (1992). Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football. Bloomsbury Academic. p. 84. ISBN 9780313284045.
  7. "Alabama vs. Auburn". Archived from the original on February 12, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  8. Bill Cromartie (1982). Braggin' Rights. Simon & Schuster. p. 59. ISBN 9780932520005.
  9. "1908 Season Highlights". Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  10. "Social Notes" (PDF). Winter Park Topics. 5 (9): 3. March 5, 1938. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  11. "Condition Former 'Bama Halfback Said Critical". Kingsport Times. February 24, 1938. p. 3. Retrieved March 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access
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