Burns Reaches Another Milestone With LMU Softball Program 

HARROGATE, TN – Lady Railsplitter softball coach Dan Burns has worn many hats since coming to Lincoln Memorial University.  When he came to Harrogate from his hometown of Kettering, Ohio in 1970 as a student-athlete, he played for the Railsplitter baseball and basketball teams.  Following graduation in 1974, he became the assistant coach for the baseball team and eventually took over as the head coach of the Railsplitters Following the retirement of his mentor Dean Bailey.

In the late 80’s Burns served as the University’s athletics director, intramural and recreation director, but it wasn’t until 1995 that Burns was asked to take over the helm of the Lady Railsplitter softball program.  As had been the case in other duties he had assumed while involved with Railsplitter athletics, Burns love for Lincoln Memorial University and its athletics programs quickly helped him to make the decision to accept the role and again serve his alma mater in another capacity. 

Since becoming skipper of the LMU softball program, Burns guidance has allowed the program to enjoy tremendous success.  Seven Lady Railsplitter softball teams made post-season appearances during the University’s membership in the Gulf South Conference.  During that time, Burns also had the privilege to coach more than 20 all-conference or all-region performers, as well as one NFCA All-American.

The 2007 season signified a new era in Lincoln Memorial University athletics.  Although the softball team was not eligible for conference play, the University embarked on a new voyage in the South Atlantic Conference and again wasted no time in letting their future league opponents know that Lincoln Memorial University was here to win.

On Tuesday night, April 9, Burns and the Lady Railsplitters traveled to Greeneville, Tennessee, where they defeated in-state rival Tusculum College in the second game 7-3.  While the victory was simply another feather in the cap for the Lady Railsplitters this season, for Burns, it was his 400^th win as head coach of the LMU softball program.

Following Wednesday evening’s double-header road win over the University of the Cumberlands, Burns career mark with the LMU softball program stands at 402-295-1.  If you consider his combined wins from the years he served as head coach of the LMU baseball team, his career record as a head coach at Lincoln Memorial is officially listed as 537-427.

With well over a quarter of a century of history at LMU now behind him, Burns' 400^th career win with the Lady Railsplitters could be just the tip of the iceberg as the program prepares for it’s inaugural season of eligibility in the South Atlantic Conference in 2008.  The new era in Lady Railsplitter softball does come with several certainties.  Burns teams will always make the university proud, and they will compete with the heart and desire of a man that has given most of his life to the university he loves.