Doris Burke has been tight-lipped about her relationship status; however, previously, she was married to Gregg Burke, the head golf coach at the University of Rhode Island.
Doris and Gregg first crossed paths during their time at Providence College in Rhode Island.
The sportscaster was a standout point guard for the Providence Friars women’s basketball team, earning accolades for her skills on the court during the early 1980s.
Greg, meanwhile, was carving out a career in sports administration, having earned his master’s degree in Education at Providence after graduating from the College of the Holy Cross.
By 1987, Gregg had joined Providence College in an administration role, likely within the athletics department. Due to his role, he became close to the basketball program where Doris was making her mark.
With time, their relationship grew out of mutual respect and common interests, which Doris has shared in her interviews.
Later, on Valentine’s Day in 1989, Greg got down on his knees to propose to Doris along the scenic Cliff Walk in Newpory, Rhode Island.
Seven months later, Doris and Gregg walked down the aisle in 1989 and became parents to two children.
The couple first experienced parenthood in 1993 when their daughter Sarah was born. Two years later, they extended their family of three into four with the arrival of their son Matthew in 1995.
Doris stepped away from playing basketball to focus on motherhood, but Gregg recognized her passion and talent for the sport wouldn’t be fulfilled solely as a homemaker.
It was Gregg who encouraged Doris to transition her career into broadcasting.
A significant moment occurred in the mid-1990s when Gregg, then an associate athletic director at Providence, couldn’t attend a men’s basketball game due to a family emergency. Their son had fallen and needed stitches.
With no one else available, Doris stepped in to call the game with minimal preparation. She delivered an impressive performance that jumpstarted her broadcasting career.
However, their seemingly perfect married life ended in 2012, after 23 years of marriage, when Doris and Gregg decided to part ways.
The reasons for their failed married life remains private.
Doris Burke and Gregg Have Maintained a Cordial Relationship Following Their Divorce!
Regardless of the divorce after over two decades of marriage, Doris and Gregg have maintained a cordial relationship and have focused on co-parenting their children.
The coveted sports broadcaster has occasionally referenced Gregg in her broadcasts with humor and grace.
During a 2020 ESPN broadcast of a New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies game, she quipped, “I do like being right, Ask my ex-husband,” prompting laughter from her co-commentator Mark Jones.
Later, on the ESPN Daily podcast, Doris shared that she called Gregg to apologize for the jab. He responded graciously, saying, “I have the utmost respect for Doris. She’s a great broadcaster and a better mom.”
Both parties have often showcased mutual respect and amicable post-divorce dynamics.
Following their divorce, Doris chose to keep her personal life private. Despite her high-profile career, she hasn’t been publicly linked to any serious relationships since the separation.
While Doris has continued to ascend in the broadcasting world, making history as the first woman to serve as a television game analyst for an NBA Finals in 2024,
Gregg has remained dedicated to his role at URI. As the head golf coach, he works closely with student-athletes and remains active in the Academic All-America program.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Doris and Gregg’s daughter Sarah is now a mother of two. She gave birth to her son, Harrison Rhys Mickles, in May 2022, and to her daughter, Eliza Josephine Mickles, in November 2023.
- The ESPN sportscaster Doris has received numerous awards for her contributions to sports broadcasting, including the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
