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University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Sandy Stephens
2/3/2020 6:00:00 AM | Football
Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great in honor of Black History Month. We will be highlighting the careers of 20 black, former student-athletes from various sports as they share what Black History Month means to them, their best memories as Gophers, and their advice for current student-athletes. In addition, the legacies of Gopher legends that have passed away will be honored beginning with Sandy Stephens.
Sanford "Sandy" Stephens arrived on campus at the University of Minnesota in 1958. As a freshman, he was ineligible to compete his first year on campus. In 1959, he shared time as quarterback of the Gopher football team and became Minnesota's first black quarterback in the history of the program. In 1960, Stephens was the driving force behind the Gopher football team's national title, leading the Maroon and Gold to an 8-2 record. Stephens also led the team to Minnesota's only Rose Bowl victory, which came in 1962.
As we begin to celebrate Black History Month, honoring numerous Gopher alumni and recognize their contributions as student-athletes, we remember those like Stephens, whom are no longer here, that forged a path for many young student-athletes after them. As the first black quarterback to be selected as an All-American, Stephens demonstrated how the camaraderie of sport can transcend the complexities of societal norms. Teammate, college roommate, and friend of Stephens, Judge Dickson (Gopher Football 1958-1961), recalls the way in which Sandy was able to bring the team together in a time when it was not so easy to do so.
"I do know this: It was Sandy Stephens, more than anyone, who proved that black and white players could come together behind a black quarterback and win."
Dickson also recalled a moment with Sandy that he'll never forget.
"We dreamed of going to the Rose Bowl. When we got to Minnesota, Sandy put a picture of the Rose Bowl up on the wall and one of our teammates came into our one night and he started laughing and he said "What's that?" And I remember Sandy saying "It's the Rose Bowl" and he said "Why do you have it on your wall?" And Sandy said "Because we're going." and he laughed some more and said, "What makes you think you're going?" Sandy said, "because we have guys like us that can make it happen. We have to believe we're gonna get there and we can do it," Judge Dickson recalls.
Stephens brought this belief and positive attitude to his team and helped spark their success in the seasons he was a Gopher.
Today, we honor Sandy Stephens, the Gopher football player, the person, and the leader that paved the way for student-athletes long after him, and remember his legacy.
Black History Home
Sanford "Sandy" Stephens arrived on campus at the University of Minnesota in 1958. As a freshman, he was ineligible to compete his first year on campus. In 1959, he shared time as quarterback of the Gopher football team and became Minnesota's first black quarterback in the history of the program. In 1960, Stephens was the driving force behind the Gopher football team's national title, leading the Maroon and Gold to an 8-2 record. Stephens also led the team to Minnesota's only Rose Bowl victory, which came in 1962.
As we begin to celebrate Black History Month, honoring numerous Gopher alumni and recognize their contributions as student-athletes, we remember those like Stephens, whom are no longer here, that forged a path for many young student-athletes after them. As the first black quarterback to be selected as an All-American, Stephens demonstrated how the camaraderie of sport can transcend the complexities of societal norms. Teammate, college roommate, and friend of Stephens, Judge Dickson (Gopher Football 1958-1961), recalls the way in which Sandy was able to bring the team together in a time when it was not so easy to do so.
"I do know this: It was Sandy Stephens, more than anyone, who proved that black and white players could come together behind a black quarterback and win."
Dickson also recalled a moment with Sandy that he'll never forget.
"We dreamed of going to the Rose Bowl. When we got to Minnesota, Sandy put a picture of the Rose Bowl up on the wall and one of our teammates came into our one night and he started laughing and he said "What's that?" And I remember Sandy saying "It's the Rose Bowl" and he said "Why do you have it on your wall?" And Sandy said "Because we're going." and he laughed some more and said, "What makes you think you're going?" Sandy said, "because we have guys like us that can make it happen. We have to believe we're gonna get there and we can do it," Judge Dickson recalls.
Stephens brought this belief and positive attitude to his team and helped spark their success in the seasons he was a Gopher.
Today, we honor Sandy Stephens, the Gopher football player, the person, and the leader that paved the way for student-athletes long after him, and remember his legacy.
Black History Home
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