University of Minnesota Athletics
Letterwinners from the Class of 1968 return to campus for a 50-year anniversary celebration
11/20/2018 8:29:00 AM | M Club
The "M" Club honored 14 letterwinners in a special celebration to commemorate their achievements as student-athletes at the University of Minnesota.
On Friday, November 9th, 2018, the "M" Club honored 14 letterwinners in a celebration of the 50-year anniversary since receiving their Varsity Letters at the University of Minnesota. Former student-athletes representing Basketball, Football, Hockey, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, and Track and Field were in attendance. All 14 letterwinners in attendance competed for a University and Athletic Department vastly different than the one existing today. In fact, there were no female letterwinners until the birth of the women's athletic department in 1974. Men's and women's athletic departments merged in 2002 to form the current University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Athletics department.
These special letterwinners, along with their friends and family, gathered at TCF Bank Stadium inside the Hall of Fame for the Pin Celebration. The first hour was filled with many hugs, catching up, and reminiscing about memories as student-athletes together. Quincy Lewis, "M" Club Director, began the program with a few words for the 50-year letterwinners. Lewis highlighted the importance of their contributions as student-athletes and how their legacy lives on in the athletic department today. The path that they forged 50 years ago is one that continues to grow and widen to be inclusive of all young student-athletes. Lewis thanked the letterwinners one last time and proceeded with the presentation of the 50-year pins.
Each letterwinner received the special 50-year diamond pin and had the chance to speak to the group. The letterwinners told stories of competing and traveling with their teammates and thanked the University and Athletic Department for all that it provided them. Many of the letterwinners also spoke about their experiences 50 years ago and the differences they see in college athletics today. The growth of college sports, rise of female athletic equality, and increased opportunity for athletes to compete post-college, have all changed the landscape of college athletics since these letterwinners competed in the maroon and gold.
The "M" Club and Golden Gopher Athletics is proud to recognize these letterwinners from the year 1968 and celebrate this special 50-year milestone.