Willie Burton

Willie Burton

Mr. Burton is also the Founder of Excel U, a K-12 designed evidence based behavioral change curriculum. Excel U is a University measured program that empowers students, student-athletes and the adults who who guide them.

Mr. Burton is also a former professional NBA athlete, an accomplished state, national, and international program turnaround specialist and a keynote speaker. He turns failing youth programs into nationally recognized programs.

As a High School basketball player, Willie won two Michigan Class C State Championships. He then attended The University of Minnesota and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and the Elite Eight. He was twice selected All-Big Ten, and was named team MVP for three consecutive years. He was inducted into the Catholic High School and the University of Minnesota Halls of Fame, and given the honor of having his number 34 retired by the University of Minnesota. He received his B.S in Multi-Disciplinary Studies with four areas of focus in communication, history and social science, and technology which he uses today working with families.

Willie is a current NBA record holder who played for the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Hornets. Currently, Wilie is on the Board of Directors at the Michigan Physical Fitness Foundation and in 2020 was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.

Willie uses his past experiences to provide students and parents with an applicable skill set, designed to aid in their decision making process, resulting in positive and desired outcomes. In addition, he has worked with NBA Cares, NBA Team Awareness Program, NFL Play 60, the NHL and NCAA Tournaments. Using this experience he developed Project Safe Campus, a program that has been approved by the Justice Department, FBI, Home Land Security, U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education, where he worked with 8 counties and over 400 K-12 schools.

Mr. Burton is a national interscholastic certified coach and athletic administrator instructor. He is also an Assistant Sports Management Instructor at Wayne State University where he received his Master’s Degree in Sports Administration.