About the U
Explore Campus Traditions
University Colors
An important part of the student experience is feeling involved with the University of Minnesota. Campus traditions make identification with the University easy. You can start by simply wearing University of Minnesota colors on Fridays.
How did the University choose maroon and gold for its colors?
In 1880, the University of Minnesota was preparing for spring graduation. For the previous 29 years, different colors were used at every ceremony. President Folwell wanted to establish consistent colors, so he asked an English instructor, Mrs. Augusta Smith, to select suitable colors to use for graduation ribbons and other occasions.
The opportunity to wear school colors is not limited to graduation and other special occasions. There are plenty of University of Minnesota events to which you can proudly wear maroon and gold including orientation, convocation, homecoming, athletic events, class, or any time you want to show your school spirit.
Where can I buy University clothing?
University of Minnesota Bookstores is the best place to find your favorite University and Gopher clothing and gifts. You can also buy these items online at the University of Minnesota Bookstores Web site.
School Songs
Minnesota Rouser
The University's main fight song was written in 1909 by Floyd M. Hutsell for a contest sponsored by the Minneapolis Tribune. After singing it, crowds always spell out Minnesota and then cheer "Yea, Gophers!"
Hail! Minnesota
This was written in 1904 by Truman Rickard for a class play. The song was performed again at commencement that year and continued to gain in popularity. It eventually became the school song, and in 1945 it became the official song of the state of Minnesota.
Minnesota March
Michael Jalma, bandmaster from 1920-32, wanted to persuade John Philip Sousa to compose a march for the University. In October 1926, a committee met with Sousa and he agreed to the request. "Minnesota March," which Sousa said he considered "the best piece I have ever written," received its premiere at the Minnesota State Fair in 1927. Michael Jalma added the words.
School Cheer
The well-known Minnesota cheer Ski-U-Mah, pronounced sky-you-ma, is more than 100 years old. In 1884, two Minnesota rugby players, John W. Adams and Win Sargent, tried to think of a fitting team yell. They used the word "ski" (which, according to legend, was an American Indian victory cry), and combined it with "U-Mah" (to represent "University of Minnesota" and rhyme with "rah-rah-rah") to create an easy-to-remember team cheer. The phrase stuck and was incorporated into the "Minnesota Rouser."
Our Mascot - Goldy Gopher
Minnesota acquired the nickname the "Gopher State" in 1858 when a $5 million railroad bill was being bitterly opposed in the legislature. A satirical cartoon was passed around depicting a "gopher train" being pulled by nine striped gophers with human heads. The association of the term "gopher" with the University goes back to at least 1888 when the University's Gopher yearbook first came out. Then, in the 1930s, football coach Bernie Bierman had his teams wear gold jerseys and pants. A local radio announcer, Halsey Hall, called the team the "Golden Gophers," and the name stuck. In keeping with this tradition, our mascot's name is Goldy Gopher.
Goldy Gopher helps cheer on University of Minnesota athletic teams. But Goldy is much more than a mascot. Goldy is a campus icon, greeting you as you board campus buses, stroll down the mall, and enjoy a beverage in campus dining services cafeterias. Goldy also appears at community events and regularly visits schools and hospitals to spread maroon and gold spirit.
School Rivalries
The University of Minnesota’s most famous rivalries involve football, which has been played at the University since 1882. The most heated rivalries are with the universities of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Each is symbolized by a trophy that goes to the winner of the annual football game between the participating schools.
Iowa: Floyd of Rosedale
The football teams of the universities of Minnesota and Iowa play each year for Floyd of Rosedale, a bronze version of a pig that the governor of Iowa gave to the governor of Minnesota as the result of a football bet in 1935. The name “Floyd” comes from Minnesota governor Floyd Olson, and “Rosedale” comes from a farm where the pig was raised, Rosedale Farms near Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Michigan: Learn about the Little Brown Jug
The winner of the universities of Minnesota and Michigan football game takes home the Little Brown Jug, an earthenware water jug that the Michigan trainer accidentally left behind in Minneapolis after the 1903 contest. When Michigan coach Fielding Yost asked Minnesota coach L. J. Cooke to return the jug, Cooke responded, “If you want it, you’ll have to win it.” The jug has gone to the Minnesota-Michigan winner ever since.
Wisconsin: Learn about Paul Bunyan’s Axe
In 1948, University of Wisconsin’s National “W” Club created Paul Bunyan’s Axe. With its six-foot handle, it represents the football rivalry between the universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin (the longest continuous rivalry in Division 1-A football) and the northwoods heritage of both states. The rivalry has been going on for so long that game results must now be printed on the sides of the handle.
Traditional Events
Convocation
Freshman students are encouraged to join the University of Minnesota community including President Robert H. Bruininks, members of the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and current students at New Student Convocation, as we celebrate the start of your college career.
Campus Kickoff Days
Campus Kickoff Days is a two-week celebration welcoming new and returning students to the University of Minnesota each fall. Highlights of Campus Kickoff Days include the Paint the Bridge mural painting extravaganza on the Washington Avenue pedestrian bridge, Funk at the Fred all-campus dance at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, and the Activities Fairs in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Homecoming
Fostering a sense of school spirit and bringing people together, Homecoming is an annual fall semester tradition at the University of Minnesota. Over a two-week period, this student-run event includes festivities such as the Homecoming Kickoff celebration, lip-sync competition, sports competitions, campus-wide lunches, pep fest, coronation, and the bonfire.
Beautiful U Day
Beautiful U Day is an annual initiative celebrating the University of Minnesota's natural resources, buildings, and grounds. A tradition since 1997, Beautiful U Day combines hands-on beautification efforts with academic forums to celebrate the Twin Cities campus and acknowledge our responsibility to maintain our physical and natural resources. Each year, hundreds of volunteers are needed for Beautiful U Day projects.
Spring Jam
Celebrating the warm weather and the end of the school year, Spring Jam is the largest student-run event at the University of Minnesota. The student committee plans many different events throughout the week, including live music performances, Ballyhoo, skit competitions, novelty entertainment, comedians, hypnotists, an art fair, and a variety of other events.
Regents Seal
The antique lamp on the Regents Seal represents the metaphysical sciences; the telescope, the physical sciences; the plow, the industrial arts; and the palette with brushes, the fine arts. The Latin motto means "a common bond for all the arts."