UMN Traditions

Top five traditions at

the University of Minnesota

Ski-U-Mah – More than 115 years ago in 1884 Minnesota rugby players John Adams and Win Sargent created a team yell by combining “Ski”, a Sioux battle cry meaning victory and combined it with “U-Mah”, representing the University of Minnesota. The catchy phrase stuck and was incorporated into the song “Hail Minnesota” and the “Minnesota Rouser.

Gopher Nickname – Minnesota was named the “Gopher State” in 1857 after a satirizing cartoon was published depicting nine gophers with the heads of local politicians. The University later picked up the name.

The “Golden” Gophers – “Golden” was not always apart of the Minnesota nickname. The Minnesota football team wore gold jerseys and pants during the 1930 season. KSTP-AM radio announcer Halsey Hall, middle, coined the term “Golden Gophers” in reference to the teams uniforms.

The Pride of Minnesota – The marching band is considered by Minnesota fans as one of the most enthusiastic and exciting organizations on campus. The band preforms at every Gopher home football game and hosts an annual indoor concert.

Cheerleading – Minnesota student Johnny Campbell offered to lead organized cheers at football games after the team had three straight losses and an editorial in the school newspaper said that any plan might helping to get students more enthusiastic about athletics would help. When Campbell and his “yell leaders” cheered at the home game against Northwestern, the team won and he receive the credit - the tradition was born.