US Gymnastics Legend Expresses Heartbreak as 90 Years of Minnesota Legacy Burns Over Failed Petition

“The loss of this facility is not just a loss for gymnastics, it’s a loss for history and future dreams,” lamented John Roethlisberger, a renowned 3x Olympian and a legendary figure in the sport. The 3-time NCAA AA Champion from 1992 to 1994 honed his skills at his alma mater. Roethlisberger is now heartbroken over the recent decision to dismantle the men’s gymnastics program’s training space.

This facility, a beacon of excellence for nearly a century, has been a crucial foundation for countless young athletes. The abrupt end of its storied legacy and the shattered aspirations of emerging gymnasts have spurred Roethlisberger to call for urgent action. He is urging the college administration to reconsider their decision and preserve this historic site.

John Roethlisberger speaks out against discontinuation of his former university program

In a new tweet, Olympian John Roethlisberger expressed his concern over the University of Minnesota’s Cooke Hall being converted from a practice space for male gymnasts. Roethlisberger, who competed in the Olympics in 1992, 1996, and 2000, is an alumnus of the program. He wrote, “Heartbreaking. Not to mention a bad decision if serving the University and its mission is really a priority.” Alongside in the tweet, he also shared an article by the Star Tribune where they interviewed 17 seasons’ gymnastics coach Mike Burn as he prepared to move the program out of Cooke Hall. He said,  “Something magical happens in this space. It’s sad we can’t find a way to coexist.”

The discontinuation of a Division I program has indeed come as a shock to the gymnastics community. However Burns is doing his best to keep the program afloat , stating, “I’ve been here almost 20 years now and this is my home. No matter who’s trying to make me go away, I ain’t going anywhere.” In fact, Burns methodically and with great care removed all the gymnastics gear from Cooke Hall himself. He planned to load the gear into a 53-foot trailer, costing $275 per month, with storage adding a few hundred dollars more. Burns adapted the program into a club affiliated with RecWell as a Campus Life Program, extending its affiliation to the University of Minnesota.

The university’s PRSE department suggested that the third floor of Cooke Hall be used for male diving, kinesiology, and RecWell programs, replacing the gymnastics program. The Board of Regents voted 7-5 to discontinue the men’s gymnastics and track and field programs. This decision took effect after the 2020-21 season. They stated that financial losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic motivated the decision. University President Joan Gabel said, “This is an incredibly difficult decision, particularly because of its effects on outstanding students, coaches and staff. We remain here to support them through these changes.” However many parents have come forward to petition, sending letters to the Board Of Regents as well as USA Gymnastics , hoping for support. However nothing much has come of it yet.

Even athletes themselves have spoken up about this decision. Then-freshman Kellen Ryan and his peers requested to discuss the matter with the Board of Regents. However, their request was denied. There was also an online petition on Instagram by Minnesota Gymnastics. For over 90 years, Cooke Hall has been home to the highly successful University of Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics program. They detailed this longstanding history to emphasize its significance. They wrote, “Interim president Jeff Ettinger had made the decision alongside Athletic Director Mark Coyle to repurpose a facility used by over 100 students into dryland training for the university’s 8 divers.” Urging everyone to sign and share this petition so that it may make a difference. The plight of the students was immense. 

University of Minnesota cancels successful men’s gymnastics program

Historically, the program has won 21 Big Ten Team Titles and a Gymact National title. It has hosted 2 Olympics, produced 19 NCAA Champions, and had 188 All-Americans. Despite recent setbacks, the program has continued to perform well. In the 2022 and 2023 seasons, they placed fourth nationally in Gymnastics Association of College Teams (GymACT) competitions. In 2018, the NCAA ranked them second for the third time. In addition to John Roethlisberger, gym

The most recent standout athletes from Minnesota are Kellen Ryan and Yaroslav Owens-Pochinka. In the 2022 and 2023 All-Americans Ryan finished fourth on the vault while Owens-Pochinka tied for 6th on the rings. The program is currently looking for stakeholders including former athletes and alums who will actively advocate for them. Mike Burns also sought help from his connections, considering options like a friend’s farm in Dassel or Midwest Gymnastics in Little Canada. He’s eager to once again build a home for the U club team.