Burton, a junior quarterback from La Jolla, CA, led his team to the semi-final round of the NCAA Division III playoffs where they were defeated by Mount Union College (OH), the eventual national champions. The 1988 Southern College Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, he completed 302 of 496 pass attempts during the 1998 season for 4,124 yards and 39 touchdowns. Burton threw at least four touchdown passes in eight of Trinity's 12 victories.

During his career, he has a 31-3 record as a starting quarterback. Over that three year span, he has thrown for 8,280 yards connecting on 575 of 985 pass attempts for a .584 passing percentage. In 1998, he ranked fifth in Division III in the total offense category (300.2 yards per game) and seventh in passing efficiency (159.4 rating).

"Mike becomes the second player to win this award after his junior year," said club president Marvin Antinnes. "His statistics and his leadership both on and off the field are most impressive. He truly is in an outstanding representative of Division III football."

The other finalists were senior wide receiver Scott Hvistendahl of Augsburg College (MN) and sophomore running back R. J. Bowers from Grove City College (PA).

The three finalists were selected by a national media panel of 70 sportswriters. The Club received 64 nominations from Division III coaches and sports information directors.