A native of Huntington, N.Y., Jimmy Burke was a three-time All-American at Cortland State in 1976, 1977 and 1978, earning first team honors in 1976 and 1978 and second team honors in 1977. He anchored the defense that won the 1975 national championships. Elected team captain in 1977 and 1978, Burke was selected to play in the 1978 North/South Collegiate All-Star game.

He played for the Long Island LC for more than a decade, was a perennial All-Club selection and a key to six USCLA championship teams. He also played club lacrosse in California.