University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host High School Band, Cheer, and Dance Day
9/9/2024 3:33:00 PM | Spirit Squad
On Saturday, September 7th, the Gopher Spirit Squad welcomed 474 high school athletes and 54 coaches from cheer and dance teams across the state of Minnesota and beyond for High School Band, Cheer & Dance Day with Gopher Football. This was the fourth installment of this annual event, which gives high school students a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience and be part of Gopher Game Day, and showcases the up-and-coming talent from our great state. This year's event was the most highly attended yet for cheer and dance!
Participating high school student-athletes started the morning rehearsing choreography with the University cheer and dance teams.
Following rehearsal and a light breakfast with the participating band students, the cheer and dance teams had the opportunity to perform a pep rally routine with the University Spirit Squad athletes in the Gopher Gardens Fan Zone before proceeding to the stadium to experience a Gopher game day first-hand.
During halftime, the nearly 1,400 high school cheer, dance and band participants all took to the field to perform with the University of Minnesota Marching Band and Gopher Spirit Squad, performing a program based on smash music hits from 2014. Beyond the demonstration of talent from the visiting students, it was an excellent opportunity for the University's athletes and musicians to interact with and advise future Gophers!
This incredible show of spirit and music programs is always impressive to see in action, and celebrates the importance of these groups to the universal game day experience, in high school, college or beyond. If your high school's cheer team, dance team, or band are interested in attending this event next year, please reach out to Hannah Paavola in the Spirit Squad office (spiritsquad@umn.edu) or Director of Marching & Athletic Bands Dr. Betsy McCann (kern0072@umn.edu). The Gophers look forward to sharing the game day spirit with students again next year!
Participating high school student-athletes started the morning rehearsing choreography with the University cheer and dance teams.
Following rehearsal and a light breakfast with the participating band students, the cheer and dance teams had the opportunity to perform a pep rally routine with the University Spirit Squad athletes in the Gopher Gardens Fan Zone before proceeding to the stadium to experience a Gopher game day first-hand.
During halftime, the nearly 1,400 high school cheer, dance and band participants all took to the field to perform with the University of Minnesota Marching Band and Gopher Spirit Squad, performing a program based on smash music hits from 2014. Beyond the demonstration of talent from the visiting students, it was an excellent opportunity for the University's athletes and musicians to interact with and advise future Gophers!
This incredible show of spirit and music programs is always impressive to see in action, and celebrates the importance of these groups to the universal game day experience, in high school, college or beyond. If your high school's cheer team, dance team, or band are interested in attending this event next year, please reach out to Hannah Paavola in the Spirit Squad office (spiritsquad@umn.edu) or Director of Marching & Athletic Bands Dr. Betsy McCann (kern0072@umn.edu). The Gophers look forward to sharing the game day spirit with students again next year!
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