- Minnesota Golden Gophers
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Minnesota Golden Gophers University University of Minnesota Conference(s) Big Ten
WCHANCAA Division I Athletics director Joel Maturi Location Minneapolis, MN Varsity teams 23 Football stadium TCF Bank Stadium Basketball arena Williams Arena Baseball stadium Siebert Field
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Target FieldSoccer stadium Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium Other arenas Mariucci Arena
Ridder ArenaMascot Goldy Gopher Nickname Golden Gophers Fight song Minnesota Rouser Colors Maroon and Gold Homepage Gophersports.com The Minnesota Golden Gophers (commonly shortened to Gophers) are the college sports team for the University of Minnesota. The university fields both men's and women's teams in basketball, cross country, gymnastics, golf, ice hockey, swimming, tennis, and track and field. Men's-specific sports include baseball, football, and wrestling. Women's-specific sports include rowing, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Joel Maturi has been the Athletic Director since 2002.
In men's and women's ice hockey, the Gophers belong to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. In all other sports, they belong to the Big Ten Conference. Most of the facilities that the teams use for training and competitive play are located on the East Bank of the Minneapolis campus. There are arenas for men and women basketball (Williams Arena) as well as hockey (Mariucci Arena and Ridder Arena). The Gopher football team began playing at TCF Bank Stadium in September 2009. The women's soccer team plays on the St. Paul campus in Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium.
Cheerleaders and the Dance Team are also part of the university's athletic department; they are present at events for basketball, hockey, football, and volleyball.
During the 2006–2007 academic year, the Golden Gophers wrestling team won the NCAA national championship and the Big Ten team title. The Golden Gophers also won conference championships in men's hockey, men's golf, women's rowing, men's swimming and diving, and women's indoor track and field.
National championships
- Football (6):
- 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
- Men's Basketball (3):
- 1902, 1903, 1919
- Men's Ice Hockey (7):
- 1929, 1940, 1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003
- Women's Ice Hockey (3):
- 2000, 2004, 2005
- Baseball (3):
- 1956, 1960, 1964
- Men's Golf (1):
- 2002
- Men's Outdoor Track and Field (1):
- 1948
- Wrestling (3):
- 2001, 2002, 2007
Notes: With the exception of football, national championships are awarded by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA itself does not award a championship for Division I-A football. The NCAA began awarding national championships for men's basketball in 1939; previous championships were retroactively awarded by the Helms Athletic Foundation. The NCAA began awarding national championships for men's ice hockey in 1948; previous championships were awarded by the Amateur Athletic Union and by the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The NCAA began awarding national championships for women's ice hockey in 2001; previous championships were awarded by the American Women's College Hockey Alliance.
Traditions
Maroon and Gold
In 1880, the University of Minnesota was preparing for spring graduation. For the previous 29 years, different graduation colors were used every ceremony. In spring 1880, President Folwell began a tradition of common school colors at the University. He asked an English instructor, Mrs. Augusta Smith, to select proper colors to use for graduation ribbons and other occasions. She chose maroon and gold, which made a favorable impression on the students and faculty in 1880. As the years passed and without any kind of formal action, maroon and gold became the official school colors.
The "Golden" Gophers
The Gopher mascot is a tradition as old as the state. Minnesota was tabbed the “Gopher State” in 1857 after a satirizing cartoon, depicting nine Gophers with the heads of local politicians pulling a locomotive, was published.[1] The story was over legislative action for a $5 million railroad proposal in western Minnesota. Later, the University picked up the nickname.
The “Golden” adjective has not always been a part of the Gopher nickname. During the 1930s, the Gophers wore gold jerseys and pants. Legendary KSTP radio announcer Halsey Hall coined the term “Golden Gophers” in reference to the team’s all-gold attire on the field. From 1932 through 1941, Minnesota compiled an impressive record, losing only 12 games and winning seven Big Ten titles and five national championships—a true “golden” decade of Gopher football.
School songs
School songs for the university include Minnesota Rouser, Minnesota March, Go Gopher Victory, Our Minnesota, Minnesota Fight, Hail! Minnesota, and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Football
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers football- National Championships (6):
- 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960
- 1900, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1915, 1927, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1960, 1967
- 1892, 1893
- Bowl Games (14):
- Rose – 1961, 1962
- Hall of Fame – 1977
- Independence – 1985
- Liberty – 1986
- Sun – 1999, 2003
- MicronPC.com – 2000
- Music City – 2002, 2004, 2005
- Insight – 2006, 2008, 2009
- Bowl game victories: Rose, 1985 Independence, Music City, Sun, Music City
Traveling trophies
- The Little Brown Jug – Accidentally left in Minnesota back in 1903 by Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost, it is painted with the victories of the two teams.
- Floyd of Rosedale – Since 1935 the Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes have fought to win this bronze pig. The Gophers won the 2010 matchup for the pig, upsetting the heavily favored Hawkeyes 27-24 at TCF Bank Stadium.
- Paul Bunyan's Axe – Minnesota and the Wisconsin Badgers have passed this trophy back and forth since 1948, although it records the two teams' encounters since 1890.
- Governor's Victory Bell – The newest of the four trophies, the bell was created to commemorate the 1993 entrance of Penn State's Nittany Lions into the Big Ten.
Men's basketball
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball- 1906, 1907, 1911, 1917, 1919, 1937, 1972, 1982
- NCAA Tournament appearances (7):
- 1972, 1982, 1989, 1990, 2005, 2009, 2010
- Sweet 16 appearances (3):
- 1982, 1989, 1990
- Elite 8 appearances (1):
- 1990
- NIT appearances (10):
- 1973, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008
- NIT Championships (1):
- 1993
Note: A 1997 Big Ten regular season championship, NCAA Tournament appearances in 1994, 1995, 1997 (Final Four), and 1999, as well as NIT appearances in 1996 and 1998 (Championship) were vacated due to NCAA sanctions.[2][3]
Women's basketball
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball- NCAA Tournament Appearances (8):
- 1994, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
- Sweet 16 Appearances (3):
- 2003, 2004, 2005
- Elite 8 Appearances (1):
- 2004
- Final Four Appearances (1):
- 2004
Men's ice hockey
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey- National Championships (2 pre-NCAA, 5 NCAA):
- 1953, 1954, 1970, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1997, 2006, 2007
- 1961, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007
- NCAA Frozen Four Appearances (19):
- 1953, 1954, 1961, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2005
Women's ice hockey
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey- 2000 (AWCHA), 2004, 2005
- WCHA Regular Season Championships (6):
- 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010
- WCHA Tournament Championships (3):
- 2002, 2004, 2005
- NCAA Frozen Four Appearances (8):
- 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011
Baseball
- Big Ten Regular Season Championships (22):
- 1933, 1935, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2010
- Big Ten Tournament Championships (8):
- 1982, 1985, 1988, 1992, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2010
Men's cross country
- Big Ten Team Championships (4):
- 1909, 1914, 1964, 1969
Women's cross country
- Big Ten Team Championships (2):
- 2007, 2008
Golf
Men's golf
- 2002
- Big Ten Team Championships (7):
- 1929, 1938, 1963, 1972, 2002, 2003, 2007
Women's golf
- Big Ten Team Championships (1):
- 1989
Gymnastics
- Big Ten Team Championships (21):
- 1903, 1907, 1910, 1925, 1936, 1938, 1940, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995
- Big Ten Team Championships (5):
- 1988, 1989, 1991, 1998, 2006
Women's rowing
- Big Ten Championships (1):
- 2007
Women's soccer
- Big Ten Championships (3):
- 1995, 1997, 2008
Softball
- Big Ten Regular Season Championships (3):
- 1986, 1988, 1991
- Big Ten Tournament Championships (1):
- 1999
Spirit Squads
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers Spirit SquadsDance Team
- National Championships (6):
- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011
Swimming
Men's swimming
- Big Ten Team Championships (9):
- 1922, 1926, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
Women's swimming
- Big Ten Team Championships (3):
- 1999, 2000, 2008
Men's tennis
- Big Ten Team Championships (14):
- 1910, 1911, 1912, 1918, 1932, 1933, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995
Men's track
Outdoor track and field
- National Championships (1):
- 1948
- Big Ten Team Championships (7):
- 1949, 1968, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011
Indoor track and field
- Big Ten Team Championships (3):
- 1998, 2009, 2010
Women's track
Outdoor track and field
- Big Ten Team Championships (1):
- 2006
Indoor track and field
- Big Ten Team Championships (2):
- 2007, 2008, 2009
Volleyball
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball- Big Ten Championships (1):
- 2002
- NCAA Tournament Appearances (15):
- 1989, 1993, 1996-97, 1999, 2000-09
- Sweet 16 Appearances (10):
- 1989, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009
- Final Four Appearances (3):
- 2003, 2004, 2009
Wrestling
Main article: Minnesota Golden Gophers wrestling- 2001, 2002, 2007
- Big Ten Team Championships (12):
- 1910, 1912, 1913, 1941, 1957, 1959, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007
Notable athletes and coaches
Baseball
- John Anderson
- Brent Gates
- Jack Hannahan
- Mark Merila
- Paul Molitor
- Denny Neagle
- Greg Olson
- Glen Perkins
- Robb Quinlan
- Dick Siebert - coach
- Terry Steinbach
- Dave Winfield (also played basketball at Minnesota)
- Dan Wilson
Softball
- Kim Niederluecke
Basketball
Men's
- Ron Behagen - Former NBA player
- Walter Bond - Former NBA player, and motivational speaker
- Randy Breuer - Former NBA player
- Jim Brewer (basketball) - Former NBA player
- Willie Burton - Former NBA player
- Archie Clark - Former NBA player
- Louis 'Doc' Cooke, coach (1897–1924)
- Bud Grant - Former NBA player, NFL player and longtime Hall of Fame head coach of the Minnesota Vikings
- Clem Haskins - coach
- Lou Hudson - Former NBA player
- Kris Humphries - NBA player
- Sam Jacobson - Former NBA player
- Bobby Jackson - NBA player
- Mark Landsberger - Former NBA player
- Voshon Lenard - Former NBA player
- Kevin McHale - Basketball Hall of Famer and former President of Basketball Operations / Head Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Mark Olberding - Former NBA player
- Joel Przybilla - Center, Portland Trail Blazers
- Flip Saunders - NBA head coach
- Tubby Smith - Current head coach
- John Thomas - Former NBA player
- Mychal Thompson - Former NBA player
- Trent Tucker - Former NBA player
- Ray Williams (basketball) - Former NBA player
Women's
- Janel McCarville - Center, New York Liberty
- Linda Roberts
- Carol Ann Shudlick
- Lindsay Whalen - Point guard, Minnesota Lynx
- Emily Fox
- Linda Hill-MacDonald - Former head coach
Football
Golf
- Tom Lehman
- James McLean
Soccer
- Mikki Denney Wright - Coach
- Jennifer McElmury
- Samuel Winter
Gymnastics
- Newt Loken
- Marie Roethlisberger
- John Roethlisberger
Hockey
Men's
- Wendell Anderson
- Keith Ballard
- Kellen Briggs
- Herb Brooks
- Aaron Broten
- Neal Broten
- Kris Chucko
- Ben Clymer
- Mike Crowley
- Tim Harrer
- Steve Janaszak
- Bob Johnson
- Phil Kessel
- Trent Klatt
- Reed Larson
- Nick Leddy
- Jordan Leopold
- Don Lucia
- John Mariucci
- Paul Martin
- John Mayasich
- Joe Micheletti
- Pat Micheletti
- Lou Nanne
- Ryan Potulny
- Johnny Pohl
- Jordan Schroeder
- Robb Stauber
- Jeff Taffe
- Thomas Vanek
- Phil Verchota
- Blake Wheeler
- Doug Woog
Women's
- Winny Brodt
- Natalie Darwitz
- Courtney Kennedy
- Gisele Marvin
- Noora Raty
- Jenny Schmidgall-Potter
- Krissy Wendell
Track and Field
Women's
- Heather Dorniden
- Alicia Rue
Men's
- Steve Plasencia, Head Coach
- Paul Thornton, Assistant Coach
- Scott Bennett, Assistant Coach
- Roy Griak, Administrative Assistant
- Hassan Mead
NCAA Champions Indoor
- Ron Backes 1986 (Shot Put, 68-11¼)
- Martin Eriksson 1993 (Pole Vault, 18-0½)
- Vesa Rantanen 1998 (Pole Vault, 18-2½)
NCAA Champions Outdoor
- Jack DeField 1942 (Pole Vault, 14-1)
- Bob Fitch 1942 (Discus, 164-8½)
- Jack DeField 1943 (Pole Vault, 14-1)
- Fortune Gordien 1946 (Discus, 153-10¾)
- Fortune Gordien 1947 (Discus, 173-3)
- Fortune Gordien 1948 (Discus, 164-0¼)
- Lloyd LaMois 1948 (Triple Jump, 45-10)
- Garry Bjorklund 1971 (Six Mile, 27:43.1)
- Adam Steele 2003 (400m, 44.57)
Current Roster of the Minnesota Gophers Track & Field team 2009–2010
Wrestling
- Shelton Benjamin - Current World Wrestling Entertainment Superstar
- Verne Gagne - NCAA champion, owner of the defunct American Wrestling Association and its former heavyweight champion, member of many Category:Professional wrestling halls of fame
- Cole Konrad - 2 time undefeated, NCAA individual champion at 285 lbs
- Brock Lesnar - Former World Wrestling Entertainment Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
- J Robinson - Current coach
- Dustin Schlatter - 79-2 record in two seasons with the Gophers
- Jacob Volkmann - 3-time all-American, current UFC fighter.
Athletic directors
- 1922-30 Fred Leuhring
- 1930-32 Herbert O. (Fritz) Crisler
- 1932-41 Frank G. McCormick
- 1941-45 Lou Keller (acting)
- 1945-50 Frank G. McCormick
- 1950-63 Ike J. Armstrong
- 1963-71 Marshall J. Ryman
- 1971-88 Paul Giel (men's)
- 1974-76 Belmar Gunderson (women's)
- 1976-81 Vivian M. Barfield (women's)
- 1981-82 M. Catherine Mathison (women's interim)
- 1982-88 Merrily Dean Baker (women's)
- 1988-89 Holger Christiansen (men's interim)
- 1988–2002 Chris Voelz (women's)
- 1989-91 Rick Bay (men's)
- 1991-92 Dan Meinert (men's interim)
- 1992-95 McKinley Boston (men's)
- 1995-99 Mark Dienhart (men's)
- 1999–2002 Tom Moe (men's)
- 2002–present Joel Maturi
From 1974 to 2002, there were separate athletic departments for men and women's sports.
Facilities
Current facilities
- Baseline Tennis Center — tennis
- Bierman Track and Field Stadium — track
- Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium — women's soccer
- Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex
- Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome — baseball
- Jane Sage Cowles Stadium — softball
- Les Bolstad Golf Course — golf
- Mariucci Arena — men's hockey
- Ridder Arena — women's hockey
- Siebert Field — baseball
- Sports Pavilion — gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling
- TCF Bank Stadium — football
- Williams Arena — basketball, wrestling
- U of M Boathouse — rowing
- University Aquatic Center — swimming and diving
- University Fieldhouse [1]
Former facilities
- Northrop Field (1899–1923)
- Memorial Stadium (1924–1981)
References
- ^ "Minnesota State Symbols". Minnesota State Legislature. 2006-12-05. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/Unsym.asp#animal. Retrieved 2007-02-08.
- ^ "2006-07 Big Ten Conference Records Book". Big Ten Conference. 2006. http://bigten.cstv.com/trads/big10-recordbook.html. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
- ^ "University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Public Infractions Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2000-10-24. http://www.ncaa.org/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4j3NQDJgFjGpvqRqCKO6AI-YXARX4_83FR9b_0A_YLc0NCIckdFAEuT364!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvUUd3QndNQSEvNElVRS82XzBfTFU!?CONTENT_URL=http://www.ncaa.org/releases/infractions/2000/2000102401in.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
- ^ "Gopher Hockey History 1928–1929". Gopher Hockey History. http://www.gopherhockeyhistory.com/history/schedules/20s/20sSchedule.asp?season=1928-1929. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
- ^ "Gopher Hockey History 1939–1940". Gopher Hockey History. http://www.gopherhockeyhistory.com/history/schedules/30s/30sSchedule.asp?season=1939-1940. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
External links
- Gophersports.com Official Website of University of Minnesota Athletics
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Women Bemidji State Beavers (Bemidji Regional Events Center) • Minnesota Golden Gophers (Ridder Arena) • Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (Amsoil Arena) • Minnesota State Mavericks (All Seasons Arena) • North Dakota Fighting Sioux (Ralph Engelstad Arena) • Ohio State Buckeyes (OSU Ice Arena) • St. Cloud State Huskies (National Hockey Center) • Wisconsin Badgers (Kohl Center)
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