WORK ETHIC DEFINED HALL OF FAMER'S CAREER

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January 5, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Former coaches recall a driven, disciplined athlete whose approach set him apart at Notre Dame Prep and set the foundation for continued achievement at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Notre Dame Preparatory School is proud to unveil the second class of its Athletic Hall of Fame, honoring three individuals whose impact on Irish athletics and the broader school community has been both lasting and meaningful. This year’s class features alumni Chris Burns NDP’10 and Taylor Timko NDP’14, along with longtime coach, volunteer and parent, the late Buzz Famularo.

As we get closer to that special night, we are profiling each inductee, one at a time, and alum Chris Burns NDP'10 is the subject of today's review.

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Chris Burns’ athletic résumé at Notre Dame Prep was defined as much by consistency and preparation as by results.

A 2010 graduate, Burns capped his high school career by winning the 2009 MHSAA individual state championship in cross country, one of several milestones in a stretch that placed him among the most accomplished distance athletes in school history. He earned five first team All-State honors across cross country and track and field and collected seven varsity letters among soccer, cross country and track.

Burns was named Notre Dame Prep’s male athlete of the year in 2010 and won five MHSAA regional championships between cross country and track and field. He also earned dream team honors in cross country and CHSL scholar-athlete leader awards in both cross country and track, reflecting a balance of academic and athletic commitment.

By the time he graduated, Burns held school records in five events spanning cross country and track and field. He also led the track team in scoring for three consecutive seasons, a reflection of both his durability and versatility.

Dr. Anthony Kulick, Ph.D., a longtime math teacher at Notre Dame Prep and Burns’ coach during his senior year, said Burns’ approach separated him from his peers.

Not afraid of hard work

“Chris was obviously really talented, but what really stands out when I think back was his drive,” Kulick said. “He really wanted to be successful and was eager to learn and challenge himself to improve.”

Kulick recalled Burns regularly completing double workouts, training before or after school in addition to scheduled practices.

“That kind of workload would burn out a lot of kids, but Chris seemed to genuinely enjoy the process,” Kulick said. “Plus, he always seemed to make a lot of jokes and had a lot of fun.”

Supportive and caring staff

The Notre Dame Prep education and experience goes much deeper than simply its international-level academic programs, noted Burns. "Sure, the classes prepared me for college-level math, sciences and humanities courses. But the ultimate value of an NDP education is seen throughout the genuinely supportive and caring staff, Irish Week and other school-wide events, and especially in the highly motivated student body."

Burns carried his own highly motivated work ethic beyond high school to the United States Naval Academy, where he earned nine varsity letters in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. He was part of three Patriot League team championships in both cross country and track and qualified individually for the IC4A regional championships.

Following his athletic career, Burns continued to distinguish himself in military service. A U.S. Navy Rotary Wing Weapons School graduate, he was named the 2020 Naval Helicopter Association aircrew of the year and was personally commended as the aircraft commander who led the most notable deployed helicopter mission.

HOF Class of 2025

Burns is one of three inductees in Notre Dame Prep’s second Athletic Hall of Fame class, along with alumni Taylor Timko NDP’14 and the late Buzz Famularo, a longtime coach, volunteer and parent. The Class of 2025 will be inducted Friday, Jan. 30, during a ceremony at halftime of the boys varsity basketball game against Genesee Christian School, which tips off at 5:30 p.m. The girls varsity game will follow at 7 p.m.

 

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.