University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota Celebrates 50 Years of Six Women's Programs
8/23/2023 10:55:00 AM | Athletics, Softball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Gymnastics, Tennis, Volleyball
The University of Minnesota will celebrate 50 years of six women's sports during the 2023-24 athletic campaign: cross country, golf, gymnastics, softball, tennis and volleyball. Events begin this weekend when volleyball opens the season on Aug. 25. In addition, Minnesota will also recognize 30 years of Gopher soccer this year.
Throughout the academic and athletic year, Gopher Athletics will chronicle the stories of these sports dating back its inception in 1973-74 within athletic venues as well as social media channels.
For information on how you can support our Gopher Women's Athletics programs please visit:
https://goldengopherfund.com/priorities/gop-her-campaign/index.html
The University of Minnesota officially recognized women's athletics through the physical education department in 1971 and was given a budget of $5,000 from the Board of Regents' reserve fund. From there, swimming and diving was established as the first official women's varsity intercollegiate sport in 1971, followed by its first women's head coach, Jean Freeman in 1973. In 1974, several women's programs followed in crew, golf, field hockey, gymnastics, tennis, softball, volleyball and cross country. Linda Wells was hired as the softball and volleyball head coach while assisting with basketball, which began the year before. The University of Minnesota officially formed the Women's Intercollegiate Athletic department in July of 1975.
Since 1971, the University of Minnesota added 12 varsity sports, the most recent re-introducing rowing in 2000. The Big Ten formally sponsored women's conference play and championships in 1982. Minnesota had separate Men's and Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Departments before it merged together in 2002.
Throughout the academic and athletic year, Gopher Athletics will chronicle the stories of these sports dating back its inception in 1973-74 within athletic venues as well as social media channels.
For information on how you can support our Gopher Women's Athletics programs please visit:
https://goldengopherfund.com/
The University of Minnesota officially recognized women's athletics through the physical education department in 1971 and was given a budget of $5,000 from the Board of Regents' reserve fund. From there, swimming and diving was established as the first official women's varsity intercollegiate sport in 1971, followed by its first women's head coach, Jean Freeman in 1973. In 1974, several women's programs followed in crew, golf, field hockey, gymnastics, tennis, softball, volleyball and cross country. Linda Wells was hired as the softball and volleyball head coach while assisting with basketball, which began the year before. The University of Minnesota officially formed the Women's Intercollegiate Athletic department in July of 1975.
Since 1971, the University of Minnesota added 12 varsity sports, the most recent re-introducing rowing in 2000. The Big Ten formally sponsored women's conference play and championships in 1982. Minnesota had separate Men's and Women's Intercollegiate Athletics Departments before it merged together in 2002.
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