© Minnesota Athletics and Cal Athletics
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., April 15, 2009 – Mike Burns and Barry Weiner, head men’s gymnastics coaches at the University of Minnesota and University of California – Berkeley, respectively, were named co-recipients of the Honor Coach Award, which is presented by the College Gymnastics Association.
Nominees for the Honor Coach Award must have been involved in coaching gymnastics at the collegiate level for a minimum of 25 years, must demonstrate a high level of competence as a coach and must display leadership in the development of gymnastics and service to the sport. Eligible voters for the award include all NCAA head and assistant coaches, former Honor Coach Award winners and Honorary Lifetime College Gymnastic Association members.
Burns is in his fifth season as head coach at Minnesota after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan. He is a three-time National Assistant Coach of the Year recipient, winning the award in 1989 at Iowa and in 1999-2000 at Michigan.
Burns is the personal coach of U.S. national team member Guillermo Alvarez. He was the assistant coach for the U.S. World Championships Men’s Team in 2006-07 and the head coach for the U.S. Men’s Team at the 2007 Pan American Games. Burns also serves on USA Gymnastics Board of Directors, a position he has held since 2000.
Weiner is in his 17th season as head coach at California, taking over the program in 1992 after Cal finished the 1991 season with a 1-18 record. In 1997-98, he led the Bears to two NCAA team titles and was named National Coach of the Year. He was an assistant coach for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics and currently coaches U.S. national team member Tim McNeill.