For many in southern Illinois, high school athletics are more than just games. They’re traditions, community events, and rites of passage. For longtime coach and educator Scott Burzynski, those traditions paved the way to a fulfilling chapter at Johnston City High School. Now, Burzynski reflects on his time as head basketball coach after passing the torch to a new era.
Raised in a household where education and athletics were foundations, Burzynski was inspired by his parents, both career educators. His father also coached basketball for more than two decades. That influence guided him to play basketball in junior high and high school while attending Sesser-Vallier, competing many times against Johnston City as a rival.
Then, he signed a full-ride scholarship with Southern Illinois University Carbondale. As a member of the Salukis, the basketball team won three Missouri Valley Conference championships and made three NCAA tournament appearances.
“We didn’t get past the first round,” he remembers. “We faced Duke, Minnesota, and Syracuse—but those experiences, the friendships, and memories are something I’ll always cherish.”
Burzynski began his coaching and teaching career in 1997 at Elverado before moving to Carterville for a 17-year tenure. Once again, he competed against the Indians, but this time, he was on the sidelines in a leadership role.
“We had some great battles,” he recalls. “The games were always high-level and competitive. Whether it was at Elverado or during my 17 years at Carterville, every matchup with the Indians was intense and spirited.”
Burzynski started teaching and coaching at JCHS during the 2017-18 school year. Under his guidance, our 2018-19 boys basketball team won the Egyptian Mid-Winter Tournament, and the 2023-2024 team won the 1st annual Cobden Christmas Tournament.
Senior Seth Rice played guard during the Cobden Christmas Tournament and is proud of that team accomplishment. He knows winning that tournament was a group effort, but what mattered most was being there for your teammates.
“The most important thing Coach Burzynski taught me is to always pick up a teammate,” Rice remembers. “Whether it be off the floor, or picking their head up when they aren’t in the right headspace.”
The Senior had the unique privilege of being sworn into the Air Force in our JCHS gymnasium before a game, allowing his teammates and coach to witness the special ceremony. Going forward in his military career, Rice will take some guidance from Burzynski.
While beating Sesser-Valier in overtime on senior night during Murrah’s sophomore year is a standout memory, he’ll also look back on the times spent with his fellow teammates.
“What I love most about the sport is hanging out with teammates before or after games and practices,” Murrah shares.
Like Rice, Murrah believes Burzynski left him with some valuable life lessons to take with him moving forward. He’ll carry that advice with him after he graduates next year and moves on to college.
“The most important thing that the coach taught me is to put full effort in at all times,” Murrah says.
Like his players, Burzynski is proud of the wins. He emphasized that his team had two winning seasons in 2018-2019 and 2022-2023. The former coach credits the student-athletes on those teams. Still, Burzynski believes that the true rewards of coaching go beyond the scoreboard.
“Wins and losses come and go,” he reflects. “The real joy is in the relationships with players, fellow coaches, and the memories from the bus rides, the locker rooms, the timeouts. Those are the moments I’ll carry with me.”
Now, Burzynski is in the final stretch of his teaching career and is focusing more on family.
“Coaching takes a toll on time at home,” he admits. “I couldn’t have done any of this without my wife, Andrea. She held our family together while I was chasing my passion. I’m forever grateful for her being so supportive. Now, I’m excited to be more present—to watch Emma cheer in her senior year and see Will play basketball and golf.”
For a man who once saw Johnston City as a rival, it's clear that the school has become something much more—a home and place where he’ll finish a remarkable career devoted to our students.