Sue Bird's Step-Father Passed Away

[UConnCat]

Jim Fuller's blog has information on Sue and the death of her step-father Dennis Burden. I read a recent story in which Sue said that her mother Nancy and other family members would be in London for the Olympics. Condolences to Sue and her family, especially her mother Nancy.

There were some heavy hearts around the U.S. women's national team with the word that the step father of Sue Bird passed away.

Dennis Burden was a significant presence during Bird's playing days as you almost always say him at the game or out and about in the town UConn was playing in.

Obviously Bird left the team to be with her family and UConn coach Geno Auriemma is not exactly sure when he will be back.

"Sue, I told her to take as much time as she need, come back when you need to come back," Auriemma said. "She may or not play in the game at Manchester (England). We'll know tomorrow. We'll have a better idea what all the arrangements are for Dennis."

 

[speedoo]

So sorry to hear that. He seemed like a good guy.

Best wishes and prayers to Sue and her family.

 

[cardfan]

That is very sad. My condolences to Sue and her family.

 

[CL82]

My condolences to Sue and her family and well. How sad.

 

[Icebear]

Blessings to Sue and all of Dennis's family and friends. Peace be with you.

 

[HGN]

Sue and her family have my Deepest Sympathy.

 

[Wonkster]

.
My heartfelt sympathy to Sue and her entire family.

So now we discover what the "family issues" were when Sue's absence from the team was first reported. I ask you - has there been a stupider piece of American English degeneracy in the last 10 years than the wholesale replacement of the words 'matter' and 'problem' with the weaselly and mindlessly vapid term 'issue?'

I'm sorely tempted to strangle people using that idiotic piece of crap.

 

[Sargassoc]

I sat behind him at the Maggie Dixon Classic a few years ago (thanks to Thisjustin) and found him to be a delightful and warm man. We talked for much of the game; he was so obviously proud of Sue.

Sad-- my condolences.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sue is one of my favorite players, and she is very widely liked by the fans.

She and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Superhuskies]

Am shocked to hear that-- couldn't be much older than 60-65..... knew he had a hip or knee replacement done about 6 or 7 years back...... I will always remember saying to he and Nancy, "Thank God for 'your' daughter tonight !," (don't think they were married yet), walking near the Sheraton Society HIll team hotel in Philly, great cobblestone street, after beating Penn State 2000 semis, as Shea had an awful game and Sue did great....
...and 2002, seeing Nancy and he getting out of a taxi , at about 5 AM, coming in to their and my San Antonio "hotel", Red Roof Inn, East Houston St., me heading out to airport, after UConn won title, and Nancy wobbles up, and out.... of taxi, ....saying..." I (wobbly) .... think... I (wobbly) .... wannapizza...! " .......

 

[McHuskyFan]

I had the opportunity to talk with Dennis and Nancy several times and they were never anything by warm and friendly. My condolences to the family.

 

[Aluminny69]

For those interested, here is a link to the obituary for Dennis Burden, the stepfather of former UConn guard Sue Bird who died at the age of 68 on Saturday.

Burden, a regular at Bird's games when she was at UConn, was the retired director of athletics at the Great Neck North school district.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Funeral on Friday morning. Sue is scheduled to take a long flight and join the team in Istanbul on Saturday. Being around Geno, CD, Dee, Asjha, Swin, et al. may help Sue.