University of Minnesota Athletics
Trophies Representing the Best of the Best at State Fair
9/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Minnesota State Fair is known for giving blue ribbons to the creators of winning recipes, art, and more. But blue ribbons aren’t the only awards on display at the fairgrounds this year. The University of Minnesota Building features a section devoted to athletics, including several major trophies won by Golden Gopher teams and athletes.
“It’s nice to give our fans attending the Minnesota State Fair the opportunity to see the trophies that celebrate the best of the best in Golden Gopher history,” said athletic director Joel Maturi.
Individual awards on display include the Heisman Trophy (Bruce Smith, 1941), the Hobey Baker Award (Neal Broten, '81; Robb Stauber, '88; Brian Bonin, '96; Jordan Leopold, '02), and two of wrestler Jayson Ness’s awards from the 2009-10 season (the Hodge Trophy and the award for NWCA Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships).
One display case holds team conference championship trophies from the 2009-10 athletic season. Baseball, men’s track and field, and women’s hockey earned the trophies in this case, which also has room for a few ICU cheerleading trophies.
In addition to the trophies, the athletics exhibit includes photos of All-Americans, All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honorees, Scholar Athletes, and award-winning coaches. There is also a TV viewing area where fairgoers can sit and watch Gopher sports highlights.
John Brant has served as the Athletic Department curator of the fair exhibit for the last 30 years. He has seen the display continue to grow, including bringing trophies like the Heisman to the State Fair.
“I see that our alumni and supporters have a sense of pride seeing the athletic accomplishments of the last year displayed at the fair,” said Brant. “It’s definitely a sense of pride for what we stand for. And this year, there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the trophy display. A lot of people have been taking pictures and asking about the trophies and the recipients of those awards.”
Stop by between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to see the display. The U of M building is located on Dan Patch Ave. a few blocks from Gate 5. The Minnesota State Fair runs through Monday, Sept. 6.
After the State Fair, these trophies will move to their permanent display in the new T. Denny Sanford Gopher Sports Hall of Fame in TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota’s new Hall of Fame opens on Sept. 10.
“It’s nice to give our fans attending the Minnesota State Fair the opportunity to see the trophies that celebrate the best of the best in Golden Gopher history,” said athletic director Joel Maturi.
Individual awards on display include the Heisman Trophy (Bruce Smith, 1941), the Hobey Baker Award (Neal Broten, '81; Robb Stauber, '88; Brian Bonin, '96; Jordan Leopold, '02), and two of wrestler Jayson Ness’s awards from the 2009-10 season (the Hodge Trophy and the award for NWCA Most Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships).
One display case holds team conference championship trophies from the 2009-10 athletic season. Baseball, men’s track and field, and women’s hockey earned the trophies in this case, which also has room for a few ICU cheerleading trophies.
In addition to the trophies, the athletics exhibit includes photos of All-Americans, All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honorees, Scholar Athletes, and award-winning coaches. There is also a TV viewing area where fairgoers can sit and watch Gopher sports highlights.
John Brant has served as the Athletic Department curator of the fair exhibit for the last 30 years. He has seen the display continue to grow, including bringing trophies like the Heisman to the State Fair.
“I see that our alumni and supporters have a sense of pride seeing the athletic accomplishments of the last year displayed at the fair,” said Brant. “It’s definitely a sense of pride for what we stand for. And this year, there has been a lot of excitement surrounding the trophy display. A lot of people have been taking pictures and asking about the trophies and the recipients of those awards.”
Stop by between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to see the display. The U of M building is located on Dan Patch Ave. a few blocks from Gate 5. The Minnesota State Fair runs through Monday, Sept. 6.
After the State Fair, these trophies will move to their permanent display in the new T. Denny Sanford Gopher Sports Hall of Fame in TCF Bank Stadium. Minnesota’s new Hall of Fame opens on Sept. 10.
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