Tom Burnett

Sport: Dave Dixon Award

Induction Year: 2024

University: Louisiana Tech

Louisiana Tech graduate and West Monroe High graduate Tom Burnett attained one of the most prestigious roles in college sports, serving as the chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for the 2021-22 season to culminate five years on that panel. Burnett was the longest-tenured commissioner in the history of the Southland Conference, serving in the role from December 2002 through May 2022, succeeding current SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. His legacy with the Southland includes the league emerging as a key leader in the evolution of FCS (formerly I-AA) football, along with initiatives bolstering the overall competitiveness and NCAA postseason success of league members, as well as the academic performance of its institutions and their student-athletes, with emphasis on promoting community service and the well-being of the S-A’s.

Burnett led a successful community-wide effort to bring the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game to the Southland’s home base of Frisco, Texas, as the league has served as the host conference for the national title contest at Toyota Stadium since 2011. Television exposure for the Southland Conference grew exponentially under his watch with the expansion of national and regional coverage, including the Southland’s broadcast agreement with ESPN Networks that ultimately turned into a multi-million dollar deal for the SLC. In 2014, the Southland became the first FCS conference to implement full NCAA football instant replay for all home games, and later formed an officiating consortium with the Big XII and Mountain West conferences.

Burnett was presented the National Football Foundation’s Legacy Award in 2022 recognizing his significant impact on the college game. Prior to joining the Southland, Burnett spent nearly 11 years in numerous roles with the Sun Belt Conference in New Orleans, including stints as associate and assistant commissioner and director of communications. He also held roles at the American South Conference and Louisiana Tech. He now heads Southwest Sports Partners, an athletic administrative consulting firm based in Frisco, Texas.