AFFTON • Marcus Burse simply can't forget the past.
The Affton High senior would love to erase all of his painful childhood memories.
Like the time he was mugged on the inner-city streets of St. Louis, beaten and robbed for no apparent reason because he was carrying nothing more than a little pocket change.
Or the time he had to dodge bullets in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting, an innocent bystander in a gang-related event.
"I don't talk much about things like that, but I still remember," he said.
Those flashbacks, however painful, have helped the soft-spoken 18-year-old turn his life around.
Burse has gone from sporting no grade point average at all in junior high to making the honor roll at Affton. He has a 3.2 grade average and is ranked 40th in a graduating class of 212. He will attend Truman State University in Kirksville on a football scholarship in the fall.
For his efforts, Burse was selected as Affton High's Scholar Athlete of the Year by his fellow teachers and administrators.
In just under four short years, Burse has gone from being homeless to becoming one of the more popular and successful students at Affton.
His metamorphosis in the athletic arena is even more impressive.
Burse never played competitive football as a child. He was simply too busy trying to survive. He first competed in a sanctioned football activity at practice in the summer of 2011 prior to his sophomore year.
Now, just over three years later, he is on his way to becoming an NCAA Division II athlete.
"Great story, isn't it?" Affton football coach Dan Oliver said. "And it couldn't have happened to a better kid. Every single person here, faculty or student, is so proud of what he has done."
Burse grew up in poverty, which forced his family to move 11 times. He estimates that has attended nine different schools .
Burse has lived with friends, relatives and anyone generous enough to give him a place to sleep for a night.
"It was difficult," he said. "I just did what I had to do."
Burse has no relationship with his father, but still sees his mother, Candance, on a regular basis.
He now lives in a stable setting with his legal guardian, Kelly Kozlen, who has played a huge role in turning around the lives of Marcus and his little brother, DeVontae, a sophomore who is the Cougars' starting quarterback.
Three years ago, Kozlen became the legal guardian of both Marcus and DeVontae. She had taught the pair earlier as a teacher in the St. Louis Public School system.
Following a unsatisfying freshman year at Northwest Academy of Law, Marcus Burse needed a change. Kozlen, a single woman, offered a home plus a normal upbringing.
"I wouldn't be where I am now without her," Marcus says.
Kozlen set down a strict set of rules for her two new boys. Marcus was forced to study for the first time in his life.
"It was work for him," Kozlen recalled. "But he actually liked it. I guess he wanted a challenge."
Marcus worked hard academically. He slowly brought his grades up the ladder. Early in his junior year, he discovered a penchant for biology, which will be his major at Kirksville.
Athletically, Marcus developed quickly. With raw speed and a wide range of skills, all the 6-foot, 170 pounder needed was some guidance.
Kozlen recalled that during one of his first football practices, while playing defensive back, he would run away from the ball carrier on rushing plays.
"He was athletic enough that he could cover anybody," Kozlen recalled. "But he didn't understand the game. He didn't know what he was supposed to do."
Oliver and his staff quickly changed that. After a serious learning curve during his sophomore campaign, Marcus developed into a strong two-way player as a junior. He was even more impressive last fall with 18 catches for 439 yards and seven touchdowns.
Marcus was selected all-Suburban East Conference in both of his full seasons on the varsity level.
More importantly, he has set an example for others.
"I want desperately to graduate from college," Marcus said. "My experience would show my younger brother and my family members that anything is possible."
Marcus Burse was selected all-conference in basketball last season. He averaged 15.9 points and a team-high 8.3 rebounds. In addition, he has garnered 17 first-place track and field medals competing in the high jump, 110-meter hurdles and on relay teams.
"When he first came here, he would hardly talk to anyone," Oliver said. "Now, he's a leader. Because of what he's gone through and what he's accomplish, a lot of kids look up to him."
Which is fine with Marcus Burse.
"I want to show people that anything is possible," he said. ""I hope I can use that to give back to the people that have helped me."
2014 Scholar-Athletes
