Former Gophers men’s gymnastics coach Mike Burns among 29 regents applicants
Mike Burns, coach of Gophers men's gymnastics. (FILE/Courtesy: University of Minnesota Athletics)
Friday morning, the University of Minnesota’s Regent Candidate Advisory Council is meeting to begin discussions on the list of applicants for the 2023 Board of Regents elections.
A total of 29 people applied by Tuesday’s deadline, including an outspoken critic of the body.
Mike Burns, the longtime coach of the Gophers men’s gymnastics program, which was cut by the Board of Regents in 2020, applied for an At-Large seat on the board.
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Burns, who continues to coach men’s gymnastics as a club sport at the university, said he’s adopting the old adage, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
He’s been critical of several moves by the regents and says he’d serve as a “watchdog for Minnesota taxpayers,” if elected.
“I’d like to think I can bring the common-man’s view to issues that are becoming more and more pressing to students at the U as well as their parents – skyrocketing tuition, campus crime, and campus housing issues just to name a few,” Burns said in a statement.
At Friday’s meeting, the council will select candidates to interview for each open seat — District 2, District 3, District 8 and an At-Large seat.
Click here to see the full list of applicants.