University of Minnesota Athletics
Get Gopher Smart (April, 2008)
5/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
April 30, 2008 In 2003, Adam Steele became the first Golden Gopher to win an individual outdoor track and field title since 1971 when he won the NCAA title in the 400 meters.
April 28, 2008 The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities owned the fourth-largest student body in the United States in the fall of 2007 with an enrollment of 50,880. Only Ohio State University (52,586), University of Florida (51,913) and Arizona State University (51,481) had larger enrollments. April 25, 2008 Minnesota Wrestling has won 837 wrestling dual meets in its history that began in 1910, ranking fourth all-time behind Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Oregon State. April 24, 2008 When TCF Bank Stadium opens in the Fall of 2009 on the University of Minnesota campus, it will be the first Division I stadium built from scratch since Stanford opened a new stadium in 2006 and Pittsburgh and Connecticut added new off-campus stadiums in 2001. The last time a new Big Ten stadium was built was Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and Indiana’s Memorial Stadium in 1960. April 23, 2008 The University of Minnesota medical facility is the site of the first artificial blood transfusion, the first use of the "deep-freezing" technique for open-heart surgery, the first open-heart surgery, and the first bone marrow transplant. April 22, 2008 The flight recorder (black box) for aircraft and retractable seat belts in automobiles were invented at the University of Minnesota. April 21, 2008 One of the most visible traditions in sports was born well over 100 years ago at the University of Minnesota. In the fall of 1898, student Johnny Campbell offered to lead organized cheers at football games. This offer came after three straight losses and a subsequent editorial in the school newspaper that said, “Any plan that would stir up enthusiasm for athletics would be helpful.” Campbell had a plan and he began to lead organized cheers at the home game against Northwestern. Minnesota won 17-6 and much of the credit went to Campbell and his “yell leaders.” At that late-season game, the tradition of cheerleading was born. April 18, 2008 The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine ranks first in the number of cat and dog visits to a teaching hospital annually in comparison with its 28 peer colleges. April 17, 2008 In October 1918, the University of Minnesota postponed fall classes because of an influenza epidemic. Ironically, that September, the University Health Service opened its doors for the first time. Ultimately, 20 students would die of the “Spanish Flu” disease before the crisis abated over the winter of 191819. April 16, 2008 The oldest building still standing on the University of Minnesota campus is Eddy Hall. Built in 1886, it was originally the Mechanic Arts building. April 15, 2008 University of Minnesota physiology professor Ancel Keys developed the K ration, an emergency food supply for American solders during World War II. April 14, 2008 The 1980 United States Hockey “Miracle On Ice” gold medal-winning team was led by former Gopher letterwinner and coach Herb Brooks. Ten Golden Gophers were on the team that shocked the Soviet Union to advance to the gold medal game where the U.S. defeated Finland 4-2. April 11, 2008 When purchased and installed in 2005, the state-of-the-art video display system at University Aquatic Center was the largest permanent video board in a U.S. aquatic facility. The Colorado Timing Systems digital video display measures 21 feet wide by 10 feet tall. April 10, 2008 Minnesota’s football series with Wisconsin is the most-played rivalry in college football history at 117 games. The Missouri-Kansas rivalry is a close second at 116 games, followed by Nebraska-Kansas and Texas A&M-Texas at 114 contests. April 9, 2008 In the 1920s, fast food giant White Castle did a study with Bernard Flesche, a U of M student, allowing him to eat only hamburgers, including the buns, onions and pickles and water, for 13 straight weeks to prove the nutritional value of the product. The study was done by U of M Physiological Chemistry professor Jesse McClendon, Ph.D., knowing that earlier studies had shown that adult dogs fed for a month on only lean meat appeared to fare well, and that humans on temporary all-meat diets lost calcium and phosphorus but didn't develop deficiency diseases. Flesche lasted through all 13 weeks of his White Castle hamburger binge. He maintained good health throughout the three-month period and was eating 20 to 24 hamburgers a day during the last few weeks. April 8, 2008 The “Minnesota Rouser” is one of two official school songs at the U of M. It was written in 1909 by Floyd M. Hutsell in response to a contest sports by the Minneapolis Tribune. The contest was judged by University President Cyrus Northrop and Governor A.O. Eberhart, with the winner receiving $100. The Rouser is sung at Gopher sporting events along with the other official song, “Hail! Minnesota.” April 7, 2008 Minnesota has made 32 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament appearances, more than any other program in the nation. The Gophers have won five national titles (1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003). April 4, 2008 The Minnesota baseball program has a current streak of 45 consecutive .500 or better seasons, which leads the Big Ten and is the fifth-longest active streak in the nation. Only Florida State, St. John’s (N.Y.), Miami (Fla.) and Clemson boast longer streaks. April 3, 2008 Goldy and the Golden Gophers nickname have a long history. Chosen to be Minnesota’s official animal in 1857, Goldy’s ancestors were the first of their kind to receive such an honor. That same year, Minnesota was declared the Gopher State. Taking advantage of the natural connection, Clarence Spears, U of M football coach, named his team the Gophers in 1926. Several years later, Bernie Bierman’s champion football team was coined the “golden swarm,” a reference to their gold-colored jerseys, and the team soon became the “Golden Gophers.” The earliest rendering of Goldy appeared in the 1940 and was an image used for merchandising purposes. Since that time, Goldy has undergone many revisions to its current “running goldy” that most fans are familiar with today.
April 28, 2008 The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities owned the fourth-largest student body in the United States in the fall of 2007 with an enrollment of 50,880. Only Ohio State University (52,586), University of Florida (51,913) and Arizona State University (51,481) had larger enrollments. April 25, 2008 Minnesota Wrestling has won 837 wrestling dual meets in its history that began in 1910, ranking fourth all-time behind Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Oregon State. April 24, 2008 When TCF Bank Stadium opens in the Fall of 2009 on the University of Minnesota campus, it will be the first Division I stadium built from scratch since Stanford opened a new stadium in 2006 and Pittsburgh and Connecticut added new off-campus stadiums in 2001. The last time a new Big Ten stadium was built was Penn State’s Beaver Stadium and Indiana’s Memorial Stadium in 1960. April 23, 2008 The University of Minnesota medical facility is the site of the first artificial blood transfusion, the first use of the "deep-freezing" technique for open-heart surgery, the first open-heart surgery, and the first bone marrow transplant. April 22, 2008 The flight recorder (black box) for aircraft and retractable seat belts in automobiles were invented at the University of Minnesota. April 21, 2008 One of the most visible traditions in sports was born well over 100 years ago at the University of Minnesota. In the fall of 1898, student Johnny Campbell offered to lead organized cheers at football games. This offer came after three straight losses and a subsequent editorial in the school newspaper that said, “Any plan that would stir up enthusiasm for athletics would be helpful.” Campbell had a plan and he began to lead organized cheers at the home game against Northwestern. Minnesota won 17-6 and much of the credit went to Campbell and his “yell leaders.” At that late-season game, the tradition of cheerleading was born. April 18, 2008 The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine ranks first in the number of cat and dog visits to a teaching hospital annually in comparison with its 28 peer colleges. April 17, 2008 In October 1918, the University of Minnesota postponed fall classes because of an influenza epidemic. Ironically, that September, the University Health Service opened its doors for the first time. Ultimately, 20 students would die of the “Spanish Flu” disease before the crisis abated over the winter of 191819. April 16, 2008 The oldest building still standing on the University of Minnesota campus is Eddy Hall. Built in 1886, it was originally the Mechanic Arts building. April 15, 2008 University of Minnesota physiology professor Ancel Keys developed the K ration, an emergency food supply for American solders during World War II. April 14, 2008 The 1980 United States Hockey “Miracle On Ice” gold medal-winning team was led by former Gopher letterwinner and coach Herb Brooks. Ten Golden Gophers were on the team that shocked the Soviet Union to advance to the gold medal game where the U.S. defeated Finland 4-2. April 11, 2008 When purchased and installed in 2005, the state-of-the-art video display system at University Aquatic Center was the largest permanent video board in a U.S. aquatic facility. The Colorado Timing Systems digital video display measures 21 feet wide by 10 feet tall. April 10, 2008 Minnesota’s football series with Wisconsin is the most-played rivalry in college football history at 117 games. The Missouri-Kansas rivalry is a close second at 116 games, followed by Nebraska-Kansas and Texas A&M-Texas at 114 contests. April 9, 2008 In the 1920s, fast food giant White Castle did a study with Bernard Flesche, a U of M student, allowing him to eat only hamburgers, including the buns, onions and pickles and water, for 13 straight weeks to prove the nutritional value of the product. The study was done by U of M Physiological Chemistry professor Jesse McClendon, Ph.D., knowing that earlier studies had shown that adult dogs fed for a month on only lean meat appeared to fare well, and that humans on temporary all-meat diets lost calcium and phosphorus but didn't develop deficiency diseases. Flesche lasted through all 13 weeks of his White Castle hamburger binge. He maintained good health throughout the three-month period and was eating 20 to 24 hamburgers a day during the last few weeks. April 8, 2008 The “Minnesota Rouser” is one of two official school songs at the U of M. It was written in 1909 by Floyd M. Hutsell in response to a contest sports by the Minneapolis Tribune. The contest was judged by University President Cyrus Northrop and Governor A.O. Eberhart, with the winner receiving $100. The Rouser is sung at Gopher sporting events along with the other official song, “Hail! Minnesota.” April 7, 2008 Minnesota has made 32 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament appearances, more than any other program in the nation. The Gophers have won five national titles (1974, 1976, 1979, 2002, 2003). April 4, 2008 The Minnesota baseball program has a current streak of 45 consecutive .500 or better seasons, which leads the Big Ten and is the fifth-longest active streak in the nation. Only Florida State, St. John’s (N.Y.), Miami (Fla.) and Clemson boast longer streaks. April 3, 2008 Goldy and the Golden Gophers nickname have a long history. Chosen to be Minnesota’s official animal in 1857, Goldy’s ancestors were the first of their kind to receive such an honor. That same year, Minnesota was declared the Gopher State. Taking advantage of the natural connection, Clarence Spears, U of M football coach, named his team the Gophers in 1926. Several years later, Bernie Bierman’s champion football team was coined the “golden swarm,” a reference to their gold-colored jerseys, and the team soon became the “Golden Gophers.” The earliest rendering of Goldy appeared in the 1940 and was an image used for merchandising purposes. Since that time, Goldy has undergone many revisions to its current “running goldy” that most fans are familiar with today.
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