Was an All-American pole vaulter in 1967 when he finished second in the NCAA outdoor meet and third at the NCAA indoor meet. He swept the pole vaulting competition on the major relays circuit that season, winning at the Texas Relays, Kansas Relays and Drake Relays. His vault of 16-feet, 9 1/2 inches at the Texas Relays established a Shocker record that stood for 16 years. He was the Missouri Valley Conference champion in the pole vault in 1966 and 1967 and later was ranked among the world's best in the event, achieving a ranking of No. 7 in the United States and No. 12 internationally in 1968 after his graduation from Wichita State. Burton was among the finalists competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in 1968 but was forced out of competition because of an injury. Inducted, 1989.