Winslow names gym for wrestling great Jordan Burroughs
"... I did it. From here. These same teachers, these same facilities, this same community. It’s possible. I want people to recognize that.” – Burroughs
- Saturday morning ceremony honors former Olympic gold medalist and local superstar
- A large high school wrestling photo and Burroughs' name is added to the inside of the gymnasium
- The community embraces the star's success story as one of its own
- Plans to honor Burroughs were approved in Dec., his invite served as boost after early Olympic exit
WINSLOW - As local dignitaries spoke, he gazed into the distance.
Not until former coach Rick Koss started to list achievements — “… district champion … region champion … state champion … national champion … Olympic gold medalist” — did world-famous wrestler Jordan Burroughs crack a smile.
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After Koss’ speech, the Winslow Township High School product for which Saturday’s ceremony took place started to show those pearly white teeth a little more.
His grin grew wider at the event’s climax. Burroughs helped pull down the curtain. Behind it, a large photo of himself as a high-school grappler atop a district first-place podium.
A title in big block letters ran across the wall beneath the picture. From now on, the Eagles will compete at Jordan Burroughs Gymnasium.
“You think about all the hours I spent in this gymnasium where you had a dream but you hadn’t accomplished anything,” Burroughs said of his thoughts on the stage. “We truly worked our butts off in hopes of something great, in hopes of accomplishing something good.
“You have all these delusions of grandeur and you watch TV, you spend time on social media and you see these amazing athletes from these wonderful places. You dream that it will be you, but you never believe that it actually will be.”
That, in its essence, is why the Winslow Township Board of Education approved the honor last December.
For an area that’s seen its fair share of tough times, Burroughs represents something where residents can always hang a hat. Especially important is the 2012 gold medal winner’s decorated career and the impact it could have on present and future Eagles alike.
“He epitomizes exactly what we’re trying to do here,” Superintendent H. Major Poteat, in his suit and dark green bow tie, explained. “… The climate hasn’t changed that much as far as the socioeconomic status of the community.
Burroughs is no underdog in Rio
“He came from one of the more challenging areas in Winslow. … We’ll always have students coming from that area. But your present circumstance does not dictate what your outcome is going to be. Jordan represents hard work, perseverance, a positive attitude, being a good person, (he’s) respectful, accountable. Good things can happen.”
Raised in the township’s P Section, Burroughs realizes the weight of his iconic status. He gracefully detailed how much the recognition meant after his surprise quarterfinal loss last month in the Rio Games, four years after he took home a gold medal from the London Olympics.
In the moments after the reveal – both inside the gym and at its entrance – he thoughtfully reflected on his career. Two words came repeatedly off the 28-year-old’s lips.
Grateful. Thankful.
Those sentiments were echoed right back at him.
Jason Handy, an assistant football coach at the school who resides in P Section now, knows how vital Burroughs’ image is to youngsters.
“One of the things I’ve noticed is these kids have had to deal with a lack of mentorship,” said Handy, 30. "I believe that one thing the township and Board of Education have done is they’ve helped with that.
“They’re bringing in good teachers, good role models and coaches. They’re getting the kids around these people to teach them, ‘Hey listen — what you’re dealing with is not always bad. Here’s a solution to how you can get by that.’”
Who embodies that spirit?
“Jordan Burroughs is the guy,” Handy said without doubt. “Based on his character, discipline to his sport and dedication, all of that comes under one umbrella. That’s leadership.”
So there Burroughs planted himself, out by the structure where he last stood in green cap and gown 10 years ago. He’d seen friends who’d become distant memories. Parents, citizens — along with the band, cheerleaders and athletes — showed up to bask in the native star’s moment.
“Is this going to be on Google Maps? Mapquest?” Burroughs joked. “I’m looking for Jordan Burroughs Gymnasium.
“… It’s always wild, because you just hope to return better than where you were when you left. You’ve accomplished more, you’re more successful, you’re financially stable, you’ve got a healthy family and I’m blessed to have all of those things.”
Olympics: Burroughs endures rough day with no medal
A return home provided perspective to the man with all the hardware a wrestler can claim. It meant as much to the youngsters who long to own similar blessings one day.
“He just gave guys like me hope that I can do stuff and be from where I’m from with the things I’ve got to go through every day,” senior football player Terrence Ames said. “He’s successful. It came from athletics but maybe it will be somebody else in a different way — business or something like that.”
Burroughs understands.
“We’re a predominantly African-American community, which I am,” Burroughs said. “We’re a working-class community, which I come from.
“My parents both still work full time. My dad (Leroy) is a construction worker. My mom (Janice) works in a union in Philadelphia. I just want people to recognize it’s possible. … It takes focus, dedication and really, discipline, to get to this high level of success. But like, I did it. From here. These same teachers, these same facilities, this same community. It’s possible. I want people to recognize that.”
It started with hours of early-morning wind sprints from one end of the basketball floor to the other.
Those runs helped shape the teen into a long list of triumphs. Koss could have recited them for an hour if he so desired.
And now, any student who embarks on those same court-long runs will see a district champ on the wall at Winslow Township High School. Through beads of sweat, they’ll notice a kid who went 16-13 in his first year on the mat and went on to be much more.
They’ll see his name and hope for success and greatness. Those goals were the same for the young Burroughs.
A kid from Sicklerville once ran with delusions of grandeur.
Not anymore.
Mark Trible; (856) 486-2424; mtrible@gannettnj.com