Louis Burns was a coach of football, basketball, and tumbling. He also was a dormitory supervisor, a teacher and vocational principal during his 32 years at the school. Since NDSD was not a member of the ND High School Activities Association during his coaching tenure, it is difficult to evaluate his teams. However, some were the best in the history of the school. His 1939 basketball team was undefeated and won 14 straight games. He was known statewide for his near-professional tumbling teams. Performing at half-time during the basketball seasons, the tumblers drew packed gyms and were often featured as the highlight of other programs around the area.