Patrick Burris
Patrick Burris, the founder, and CEO of the USA Stars Foundation has had a diverse career in sports, education, lecturing, and real estate development.
Born in Hawaii to Janet and Pat Burris, Coach Burris began his judo career at the Pearl City Judo Club, in Pearl City, HI with his father serving as one of his first Sensei's.
As an athlete, Coach Burris had a phenomenal career. His athletic accomplishments are world-renowned. Some of his victories include winning the USA National Judo Championship 7 times, capturing Pan-Am Gold, winning the pre-Olympic Championships and representing the USA in two Olympic Games (1972 & 1976). Mr. Burris was awarded entry into the coveted Hall of Fame on two occasions; Judo Athlete and Judo Coach. Mr. Burris was awarded the Jim Thorpe Man of the Year Award for Martial Arts in 2006. According to Coach Burris, his most prized athletic accomplishment is being awarded the "Fighting Spirit" award a record 7 times. No other athlete in the history of American Judo has accomplished this before or since.
1972 USA Olympic Judo Team - Patrick Burris 1st row, third from the left
1976 USA Olympic Judo Team-Patrick Burris, center, 1st row
Receiving an athletic wrestling scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado, Mr. Burris earned his BA in Education while training for the Olympic Games. After the Olympic Games, Mr. Burris became a high school teacher in Denver, CO. In addition to teaching, he coached the high school wrestling team, thus beginning a highly successful coaching career that has spanned over 30 years. Mr. Burris has coached numerous World, Olympic and National Champions in Judo, Wrestling, and Sambo. Additionally, he has successfully coached several USA National Teams in international competition. One highlight of his illustrious coaching career is serving as a Coach for the 1996 USA Judo Olympic Team.
Mr. Burris is widely known for his dynamic personality and motivational techniques and is regularly asked to speak to graduating classes, at conferences in sports teams. Coach Burris is also a regular commentator on USA Judo Webcasts as well as Cage Fighting events.
Mr. Burris is currently serving the National Governing Body of USA Judo as the Director of Coach Certification and Education. As such, he travels the country extensively giving judo and coaching clinics.
Mr. Burris founded the USA Stars Foundation in 1992 as a means of assisting up and coming Olympic Hopefuls with the fulfillment of their Olympic Dreams. Recognizing the need to expand the relatively small circle of individuals who were fortunate enough to experience the Olympic Dream firsthand, Mr. Burris created a unique program that enables young people to learn from and train with elite athletes.
