Curtis Burke, a Tennessee native who dominated the Tigers’ lineup from 1978 through 1981, is set to be celebrated as part of the Tennessee State University Athletics Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
A career built on record‑breaking performance
During his four seasons Burke posted batting averages of .357, .348, .350 and .390, while earning three First‑Team All‑Nashville honors and two team‑captain selections. He was named TSU Rookie of the Year in 1978 and shared Co‑MVP honors in 1981, and his senior year saw him set single‑season school records with 12 home runs and 52 runs batted in.
Burke finished his collegiate career as the program’s all‑time leader with 28 home runs and 176 RBIs, numbers that still stand as benchmarks for future Commodores.
The Astros selected him in the third round of the 1981 draft, 75th overall, and he went on to set an organizational record with 48 doubles in 1983, further cementing his reputation as a powerful, reliable hitter.
In a fitting tribute, Tennessee State retired his No. 37 jersey, a testament to the lasting influence he has had on the university’s baseball tradition.