She received a BA in International Relations from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in 1964. While living in Florence, Italy she studied wood sculpture and art at the Istituto Statale d’Arte di Porta Romana and the Accademia delle Belle Arti. She worked with numerous well known artists in Florence. Dr. Burch got her M.A. in Italian from Middlebury and her Ph.D. in Modern Languages and Literature from the University of Florence.
Burch was a friend of Ernie's both in high school EFA, Elmira NY and at Syracuse University. Fifteen years after her graduation from Syracuse University Burch decided to write an article on Ernie Davis. She was so enthralled by the impact he had on every person she spoke to, that she decided to write a book about him and then to write a film. Dr. Burch, given the rights to a film and book about Ernie Davis by his mother many years ago, spent 35 years interviewing hundreds of people about his life in order to tell his complete story. Dr. Burch completed both the book and film script. The book was published in October 2008 to coincide with a movie “The Express” produced by a different entity.
Burch is also the founder of Cascata Winery at The Professors' Place in Watkins Glen, NY and is currently active as an artist.
K. Coralee Burch, Ph. D.
Official Website
The REAL Ernie Davis Biography
A HALO FOR A HELMET
by K Coralee Burch
Home Page
To order a book go to "How to order a book" page.
The grassroots biography "A Halo for a Helmet: The Whole Story of Ernie Davis" tells the true and inspirational story of Ernie Davis, #44 from Syracuse University and the first African-American to win the Heisman trophy.
Unlike the recent Hollywood film, “The Express” which emphasizes his athletic achievement primarily in college (and includes typical embellishments), this book focuses on the true life story of a man who overcame prejudice in the 50s through patience and compassion to become one of the most beloved athletes in history.
Ernie Davis was more than a sports figure or icon; he was one of the most inspirational athletes to live, but unfortunately died at the young age of 23. Ernie, a star of Syracuse football in the late 50s and early 60s went on to be the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy.
K Coralee Burch, Ph. D. S.U. ’64 is his official family appointed biographer. She wrote a film on Ernie’s life that was never produced and a book “A Halo for a Helmet” that was published in 2008 after over 35 years of interviews with Ernie’s teammates, friends, family and others. This is the ultimate story of Ernie’s life by his high school and college classmate, Coralee.
Coralee’s original goal was to try to understand how a person could arrive at the excellence, ethical stature, and admiration that followed Ernie from his high school years on. It was clear it required more than simply athletic prowess.
The book brings out the racial atmosphere of that period along with the human but outstanding character of this young man. When Ernie was graduating from high school, it was said that the students so admired and loved him, they would have picked up the high school and moved it across the street to his home, if he so desired.
Ben Schwartzwalder cried after showing films of Ernie’s achievements to Coralee, saying, “…now he wears a Halo for a Helmet”, the title she then chose for his story. Art Modell, turned in his chair and pointed to a picture of Ernie on the wall behind him in the Cleveland Stadium and told Coralee that whenever he confronted problems that seemed too difficult, he simply turned and asked himself what Ernie would have done in that case.
The movie “The Express” has brought Ernie back into the limelight, the book, “A Halo for a Helmet” tells his entire story from birth to death, with details found nowhere else. Ernie’s story is a story of an era that documents the struggles of the period and shows how one young man found a way to meet every obstacle with valor: even his death.
“A Halo for a Helmet” can be found on Amazon and is available for Kindle and soon for Nook or ordered from the author’s email; ahaloforahelmet@gmail.com. Dr. K. Coralee Burch is also available for booksignings, lectures, or inspirational school talks.