Dan Burns

BURNS NAMED DIRECTOR OF HARROGATE CITY PARK AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

January 5, 2011 - Harrogate, Tennessee — Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) President B. James Dawson announced the appointment of longtime LMU employee and softball coach Dan Burns as director of Harrogate City Park on Wednesday. The University assumed responsibility for management of the Harrogate City Park on January 1 when the 15-year lease of LMU land to the city expired.

Burns will oversee the operation of the park and its programs and personnel. Additionally, he will be responsible for coordinating the maintenance and scheduling of the University’s athletic fields. He will also continue in his role as head coach of the Lady Railsplitter softball team.

“I am looking forward to this new challenge. It is not that far from a position I held previously at the University and I am really excited about the programs that we hope to develop at the park,” Burns said. “My goals are to provide new services to our community at the park and I look forward to working with the City of Harrogate Parks and Recreation Committee to accomplish this.”

The University plans to expand the uses of the park to include more regional opportunities for citizens of the area and increase the recreation offerings to the community. LMU already offers the LMU Pool, High Adventure Ropes Course, community tennis courts (adjacent to Tex Turner Arena) and Tex Turner Arena for public use. Additionally, last fall the LMU Golf Complex introduced a public driving range. The golf complex will also include an executive three-hole course and putting green when it is complete.

“LMU wants to ensure the park continues to operate as it always has and provide access to all citizens. Dan will play a vital role in making sure the University continues to make improvements for those who use the park regularly,” Dawson said. “LMU is working diligently to continue to enhance our public outreach with our community and its leadership. All events held previously will continue and the community can expect to see new and exciting programs develop under Dan’s leadership.”

The University plans to install gates at the park entrances for safety and security purposes. The park will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round.

With over three decades of service to LMU in various roles, Burns has also been an active member of the Harrogate community for over 30 years. He graduated from LMU in 1974. A two-sport athlete, he returned to his alma mater in 1976 as the assistant baseball coach under Railsplitter coaching legend Dean Bailey. In 1980, Burns succeeded his mentor and helmed the Railsplitter baseball program until 1987 and served as athletic director from 1987-88. In 1989 he moved to a role similar to his new position and served as director of campus and community recreation until 1995. He returned to the diamond to coach in 1995 when he took over the Lady Railsplitter softball program.

A native of Kettering, Ohio, Burns is married to the former Regina Sawyers and the pair has three children, Joshua, Victoria and Gavin. The Burns family attends Pump Springs Baptist Church.

Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@lmunet.edu.

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