Family Attitudes of Pride, Sportsmanship

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Hunter Burgess, in 1989 Class I (D2) championship vs. Merrimack Valley.

Like a lot of high schools, athletic success at Conval has often been associated with family roots that run deep. The mom or dad starred at multiple sports many years ago, and their kids followed in their footsteps. Many of the great family names at Conval High have come, excelled and graduated (at least on the courts or playing field), but one name from the 1980s and his kids are still going strong:

Hunter Burgess ’89.

Son Casey (’17) ran x-country, baseball and basketball, son Zach ( ’21) was a member of the basketball as well as the state champion boys’ soccer teams of 2018 and 2019, and daughter Allie (’25) is currently a standout for the girls’ soccer squad.


Hunter had his own siblings who stood out at Conval, beginning with basketball 1,000 point scorer, the late Todd Burgess in the early ‘80s. Later as a freshman, Hunter and senior brother Clint helped lead the Cougars to the school’s first-ever state basketball championship in 1986, and after scoring his 1,000th career point in 1988, Hunter valiantly led Conval in a 1989 state finals loss to Merrimack Valley.


But more than a great family with outstanding athletic pedigree, Hunter Burgess was a sportsman at Conval High recognized near and far. After losing the heartbreaking state finals to Merrimack Valley, Hunter proudly lifted the runner-up trophy for all to see and celebrate. A member of Conval High’s Hall of Fame, Hunter received the school’s Male Athlete of the Year award in 1989, and the John Burke Sportsmanship Award given by NH State Basketball Officials. 


In addition, Hunter was named to the Class I (D2) all state soccer and basketball teams in 1988, and to the NH Basketball Association/NH Sunday News second team. A stalwart pitcher for the baseball team, Hunter also spun a no-hitter versus Pembroke his junior year. And prior to his senior year, Hunter was a member of the NH AAU 17-under basketball team that competed in the national Junior Olympic tournament in Yakima, WA. He then toured with the NE Ambassadors, a scholastic all-star team of high school soccer athletes from around the country, visiting England, Belgium and Holland.


Currently a sports physical therapist in Peterborough, Hunter’s sportsman/competitive attitude was seen during that experience with the NH AAU 17-under team. “I like it, i like it a lot,” he told the Peterborough Transcript in 1988. “It’s harder to play with them—everybody’s quicker, jumps higher and shoots better. But it’s an experience, and I’m loving it.” 


A family attitude of competitiveness and determination that runs strong in Conval High’s hoop heritage.

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