We’re still trying to grasp the heartbreak that the Katlin Burger we all knew and loved is gone. Katlin, a vibrant 2025 graduate of the UVA Wise Women’s Basketball program, passed away recently in a tragic single-vehicle accident near Maryville, Tennessee, leaving behind a trail of grief, gratitude and enduring love.
Raised in the tight-knit community of Walland, Tennessee, and a proud alumna of Heritage High School, Katlin carried her small-town values into every room she walked into. She joined the UVA Wise basketball family with more than athletic ambition—she came with a heart ready to serve, uplift and cheer others on. On the court she was a teammate; off the court she was someone you could lean on, someone whose laughter was infectious and whose compassion grounded you.
Her time at UVA Wise was defined by more than game stats. She truly lived the motto “V over Me” — a motto about putting the team before self, about service, humility and lifting others up. Her coaches and teammates often pointed to her as the embodiment of that ideal. She didn’t just talk about it—she showed it in how she listened, included, encouraged. Her presence made a difference beyond the scoreboard.
After graduation, her path led to purpose and impact. Katlin accepted a role as a special education teacher at Cumberland Gap High School beginning in July 2025. In her brief time there she already made waves—not because she sought recognition, but because she quietly and consistently changed lives. Her students adored her for the patience she showed, the encouragement she offered, and the remarkable gift of making each child feel seen, valued and supported.
It is both a comfort and a sorrow to reflect on how her servant’s heart found its brightest light in the classroom. She wasn’t just teaching academic lessons—she was teaching confidence, resilience, the belief that you matter. For many students who had never been under the wing of someone so full of genuine care, Katlin was the difference that let them believe they could.
When the news of the accident reached the UVA Wise community and the broader region, the shock was immediate and deep. They lost not only a graduate but a beacon of kindness, a friend, a mentor, a gentle champion. The basketball program summed it up when they said, “Her selflessness, energy, and compassion will forever be part of our legacy.” Friends, former teammates and colleagues are now hanging on to the warmth she offered.
In the pain of this moment, there is also a legacy that refuses to fade. Katlin may have left us physically, but every life she touched—on the court, in the classroom, in the hallways or at home in Walland—carries a piece of her. Her laughter, her genuine heart, the way she always found the good in people, the way she made you feel you mattered—those things outlast her.
So today we say goodbye, and yet we don’t let her memory fade into silence. Rest peacefully, Katlin Burger. Your spirit, your smile and your unwavering love will forever guide us. You will never be forgotten.
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