ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
Daren Burns is the most decorated UNCG wrestler ever, the only one to win four Southern Conference championships and the only wrestler to qualify for the NCAA Championships four times. As a sophomore and redshirt senior, Burns finished in the top 12 at the NCAA Championships. In 2004, he was also named the SoCon Freshman of the Year after winning the conference championship at 197 pounds. He is a three-time SoCon First Team selection. He was named to the SoCon’s 100th Anniversary Wrestling Team. He finished his collegiate wrestling career with an overall record of 107-35 and 54-11 in dual matches. His 107 wins are the most in UNCG history.
Burns also found success wrestling in national and international competitions in Freestyle and Greco-Roman events, winning a bronze medal in Freestyle at the Pan American Championships in 2005, as a sophomore at UNCG. After wrestling collegiately, he was a three-time U.S. Open All-American and a member of the 2014 U.S. World Cup Team in Greco-Roman Wrestling.
Burns was an assistant coach for the Spartans during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, and a volunteer assistant coach during the 2008-09 season.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science in December 2008.
*All stats were as of the date of induction.
