Dr. Burke is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Kinesiology at Towson University. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and recreational studies (double major), with a minor in sociology, from Belmont Abbey College.

Dr. Burke was a member of the Pi Gamma Mu National Social Science Honor Society, played on the men's tennis team, and was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic All-American Tennis Team nominee, making the N.A.I.A. All-District 26 Tennis Team in both singles and doubles play.

Dr. Burke received the Master of Arts degree in social/organizational psychology from East Carolina University where he was a member of Psi Chi, The National Honor Society in Psychology. He earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in sport psychology from Florida State University. Dr. Burke earned the Education Specialist degree in counseling from Georgia Southern University.

Dr.Burke has co-authored two sport-related books entitled, "Sport Psychology Library Series: Basketball" and "Tennis". He also has served as co-editor of ten editions of the "Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology." Dr. Burke served as the first Editor for the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics from 2007-2009.

Dr. Burke has also served on the editorial boards for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (Associate Editor), Journal of Sport Behavior, Strategies, and past Associate Editor for the Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Physical Education. He has served as a guest reviewer for The Sport Psychologist, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, and Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. He also has served as a Sport Psychologist Digest compiler for the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Dr. Burke has served as a Research Dissemination Committee member of the Research Consortium of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and as a Research Works Contributing Editor for the Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Dr. Burke has conducted three podcasts series (available via iTunes) entitled, "Sports Illuminated" (SI won the 2007 Tennessee Digital Media Tournament's East Tennessee State University Best Faculty Feature)," " Burke on Mayberry," and "Burke on Motorsports"

Dr. Burke has assisted professional, college, high school, and recreational athletes from various sports as a sport psychology consultant. His current research interests are in humor, optimism, personal control, momentum, superstitions and rituals. Dr. Burke was selected to attend the Tennessee Regents Academic Leadership Training Institute, nominated and received awards for university scholarship and teaching. Dr. Burke was nominated for the prestigious "Dorothy V. Harris Young Scholar/Practitioner" award, selected for other leadership training, and previously won an award for teaching while in graduate school.

Dr. Burke was an intercollegiate basketball official and is a past member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. He completed 23 seasons as an interscholastic basketball official in which he was certified at the state's highest level, served as a state evaluator, and as Vice-President of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials - Board 323. He officiated public and private schools state tournaments, boys' all-star game, and was selected as an All-Star official. He has also served as the head coach of three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I tennis teams. Dr. Burke has driven a stock car at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Bristol Motor Speedway.