University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Gymnastics News, Notes
2/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
As President of the College Gymnastics Association, Minnesota head men’s gymnastics coach Mike Burns is charged with protecting, promoting and helping to grow the sport. But Coach Burns didn’t need to be elected president of the coaches’ association to take on those responsibilities.
Burns has been doing those things for most of his career. However, he’s become even more concerned about the sport he loves over the past number of years. So, when he was invited to take part in a summit with representatives of the women’s collegiate coaches’ association and USA Gymnastics, he was more than happy to take part.
The summit meeting was held to discuss the future of the sport, among other topics. According to Burns, it was a good jumping off point, but there is still a great deal of work to be done.
Minnesota Daily reporter Brian Johnson spoke with Burns about this summit recently and filed an interesting story about Burns’ experience. You can read that story by clicking here.
Other Minnesota men’s gymnastics news and notes ...
- Speaking of organizations and groups trying to help collegiate gymnastics, the Gophers are taking part in the Pacific Coast Classic this weekend in Oakland, Calif. The event is held as a benefit for men’s collegiate gymnastics, with much of the proceeds going toward helping save the sport. The event begins at 7 p.m. PST. You can learn more about the meet and see live results during the competition by clicking here.
- Former Gopher Newt Loken is going to be celebrating his 90th birthday later this month. The College Gymnastics Association put together a document to wish him a Happy Birthday and also reflect on his career. Following his competitive career with the Gophers in the early 1940s, Loken became the head coach at Michigan and served in that capacity for 36 years. That Happy Birthday document can also be found by clicking the link at the top of this article.
- Don’t forget Minnesota has two regular-season home meets remaining. The Gophers host No. 1-ranked Stanford and No. 3 Oklahoma March 7, in what is sure to be the stiffest regular-season competition to visit the Sports Pavilion this season. That meet will also air on the Big Ten Network on a tape-delayed basis.
- Of course, a reminder that Minnesota will be hosting the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships April 16-18 at the Sports Pavilion. Tickets are available now by calling 1-800-UGOPHER. You can also get more information on the event or purchase tickets by clicking here.
-Andy Seeley
