MCC Hall of Fame Inductee: Lane Burroughs
Dirt from the baseball field still feels like home to Lane Burroughs.
The Meridian native and Meridian Community College alumnus is the head baseball coach for the Louisiana Tech University baseball program, entering his 10th year leading the Bulldogs to numerous winning seasons, including NCAA Regional appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2024. And the 2026 season looks bright for Diamond Dogs; it has secured a 7-1 start this season.
Burroughs will be inducted into Meridian Community College’s Hall of Fame; he’s one of four who will be honored for their achievements. MCC recognizes a group of servant-leaders who have distinguished themselves in their professions and community service with the Hall of Fame award, which the MCC Foundation sponsors.
“This is truly one of the highest honors of my life,” Burroughs said. “Meridian and Meridian Community College made me the person I am today. To be recognized as a Hall of Fame Eagle is truly humbling and surreal,” the coach said.
“The people of my hometown and MCC had an unbelievable impact on my life and taught me lessons that I still use today as a husband, dad, friend, and coach,” he noted.
Burroughs began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi College and would log in two-plus decades coaching in the SEC, Big 12, Conference USA, and Southland Conference. Burroughs played high school baseball at West Lauderdale and came to MCC on a baseball scholarship. The chance to play for legendary coaches Corky Palmer and Scott Berry made his college choice easy. “This was a no-brainer and a decision that would change the trajectory of my life,” he said.
Crediting Palmer and Berry for guiding him, Burroughs said the two taught him about life, coaching, and responsibility. “The lessons they poured into me I still use every day of my life,” he said.
His time in the MCC Eagles uniform was filled with big moments. He helped the team win the school’s first regional title in 1992. In 1993, he was part of the first team in school history to play in the Junior College World Series. “That trip to Grand Junction, Colorado, by bus is definitely book-worthy,” Burroughs said.
Another MCC memory did not happen on the field. It came in the classroom.
“Passing College Algebra on my fourth try with the unbelievable teaching skills of Mrs. Ray Davis,” he said of his former mathematics instructor. “That’s one I’ll never forget.”
Along with his athletic scholarship, Burroughs worked in the college bookstore during the summers under the leadership of Martha Williams, who was then the bookstore manager. Those lessons would last far beyond college. “She showed me how a business should be run and how to run a successful organization,” he said. “She also taught me the meaning of hard work and how to deal with tough customers.”
Burroughs said MCC prepared him well for his next step at Mississippi College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in pre-law and a master’s degree in social sciences from MC.
“There was nothing that came up at the next school that I wasn’t prepared for due to the people at MCC,” he said.
While his baseball career has included many wins, Burroughs said his proudest achievements are personal.
“Marrying my high school sweetheart, Susan, having three unbelievable children, Parker Grace, Camryn Laine, and Thomas Jackson, and having the opportunity to work with young men every day to prepare them for life,” he said. Susan is also an alumna of MCC; she received her associate degree in nursing in 1993.
For Burroughs, success is not measured only in championships. “Knowing you’ve made a positive impact on people’s lives or made a difference,” he said.
Visit meridiancc.edu/halloffame for more information.