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The Minnesota Golden Gophers are the college sports team for the University Of Minnesota Twin Cities . The Gopher s compete in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's and women's Ice Hockey where the teams compete in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association . The common sports between men and women include 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 . Cheerleaders and a Marching Band or Pep Band are present at events for basketball, hockey, football, and volleyball. The cheerleaders and bands are also overseen by the university's athletic department. Joel Maturi has been the Athletic Director since 2002. PAGEANTRY HISTORY In 1880, the University of Minnesota was preparing for spring graduation. For the previous 29 years, different graduation colors were used every ceremony. In the spring of 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. GOPHER NICKNAME 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. The story was over legislative action for a $5 million railroad proposal in western Minnesota. Later, the University picked up the nickname. "GOLDEN" GOPHERS 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-AM 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. NATIONAL TITLES
TRAVELING FOOTBALL TROPHIES
FAMOUS GOPHER ATHLETES Baseball
Basketball Men's
Women's Football
Golf Hockey
Swimming The men's team has won the Big Ten conference title four out of the last five years (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005), with the most recent title having been won by a mere three points in the Gopher's home pool over rival Indiana. The men's team is coached by head coach Dennis Dale and assistant coach Bill Tramel. The women's team saw Jean Freeman, coach for 31 years, retire after the 2003-2004 season. She was replaced by Terry Nieszner and Kelly Kremer, who were named co-head coaches. Nieszner was Freeman's assistant for over 25 years while Kremer served as the men's team coaching staff for seven years. After having signed one of the best recruiting classes in the country for the 2005-2006 season, the women's team looks to regain top form when they won back-to-back Big Ten conference title's in 1999 and 2000. Wrestling
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