Bob Burton joined the Huskers in 1998 and was Nebraska's Executive Associate Athletic Director at the end of his tenure in April of 2023. Burton handled the facilities master plan for the athletic department, was the liaison to Haymarket Park, working with the Lincoln Saltdogs, he helped set the budget for field and stadium operation costs and create strategic plans for the facility. Burton also served as the sport administrator for the bowling, men's and women's golf, men's gymnastics and wrestling programs.
Burton also oversaw multiple support areas within the athletic department, including facilities and maintenance, capital planning and construction, event management, computing services and concessions. He also served on the Big Ten Sports Management Committee.
Burton joined the athletic department in 1998 as an associate athletic director for compliance/sports administration. He served in that role until 2007, ensuring that the conduct and operations of Nebraska's athletic teams were in compliance with NCAA, Big 12 and institutional rules and regulations. He also performed as the primary sports administrator for many of Nebraska's teams.
Burton filled a similar position at Oklahoma State as the assistant athletic director for sports administration and compliance from 1993 to 1997. He oversaw OSU’s Olympic sports programs as well as the training and strength and conditioning, wrestling, men’s and women’s track and field and men’s and women’s tennis programs.
Burton came to Nebraska from Texas Tech, where he served as an associate athletic director for compliance for one year. While at Texas Tech, Burton helped complete the NCAA investigation into the Red Raider athletic department and analyzed the entire compliance system at the institution. He also helped identify and implement financial aid and eligibility systems, including changes in personnel and restructuring of the compliance department.
Burton, who was a member of the NCAA Division I women’s soccer committee for three years and was a member of the NCAA Division I bowling committee, served as a legislative administrator for the NCAA from 1989 to 1993. At the NCAA, he was involved in the development of legislation, interpretation of regulations and reviewed legal issues related to the application of the association’s regulations. He served as an NCAA liaison to committees and conducted comprehensive education to several intercollegiate athletic conferences. He has served on the National Association of Athletic Compliance Coordinators Executive Committee and the subcommittee of Big 12 Directors of Compliance.
He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Nebraska in 1985 and his juris doctorate from the Nebraska College of Law in 1989. A native of Falls City, Neb., Burton and his wife, Krista, have a daughter, Elly Kathryn, and sons Robert Falk, McClain John and Abram Lawslo.