Bob Lutz's Right Hand Man

By JOE HOLTZAPFEL

Everyone has a right hand man and Bob Lutz was no different. Coach Lutz's right

hand man has a resume that is second to none.

In fact, his right hand man hired him back in the 70's and everyone who follows Ironton football is glad he did. That right hand man was none other than Mike Burcham.

The following can say it better than anyone else could.

Mike Burcham was born on November 9, 1943. He was a 1961 graduate of Ironton High School.

He received his teaching degree from Rio Grande College in 1965. He was a 4 year starter on the baseball team as a catcher. He still holds the school record for career home runs and was elected to the Rio Grande Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976. 

Burcham's high school teams at Ironton compiled a 329 - 130 record between 1967 and 1984. They won seven Southeastern Ohio Athletic League championships or co-titles, ten sectional championships, four district titles.

They won the 1972 Regional title and that year Ironton won the State Class AA state baseball championship.

Burcham is a former president of the OHBCA and served as the head coach of the Ohio State All-Star game in 1972. 

He had at least one player named to the All-Ohio squad each year during his tenure. 

Coach Burcham is married and a lifelong resident of Ironton. He and his wife Linda have four children Bart, Mike, Missy and Krissy.