University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Athletics Timeline (1851-1899)
1851
The University of Minnesota is founded as a preparatory school, seven years before the territory of Minnesota became a state.
1876
Minnesota plays its first varsity baseball game versus the St. Paul Saxons.
1880
In the spring, President William Watts Folwell began a tradition of common school colors for graduation. He asked an English instructor to select proper colors to use for graduation ribbons and other occasions. She chose maroon and gold, which made a favorable impression on students and faculty. As the years passed, without any formal action, maroon and gold became the official school colors.
1882
Minnesota plays its first football game, on a field south of the Armory, defeating Hamline 4-0.
1884
Rugby team members John Adams and “Win” Sargent create a cheer, combining “rah-rah-rah,” “Minn-e-so-ta,” and “Ski-ooo,” the latter they believe a Sioux victory yell. The result? It becomes the Ski-U-Mah cheer.
1890
The most-played rivalry in Division I college football begins when Minnesota defeats Wisconsin 63-0. The rivals would begin playing for Paul Bunyan’s Axe in 1948.
1892
University of Minnesota Marching Band is founded.
1895
College presidents meet to hash out athletic concerns; the result will become the Western Conference, which would later be renamed the Big Ten Conference in 1917. Minnesota is one of seven founding members of the conference.
1896
Minnesota plays its first men’s varsity basketball game.
1897
Dr. L.J. Cooke is hired as first Minnesota men’s basketball coach and Director of Physical Education.
The first Minnesota women’s basketball game is played.
1898
Medical student Johnny “Jack” Campbell, frustrated by the football team’s bad season, begins leading the crowd in organized cheers. Thus, cheerleading is invented.
A political cartoon depicts Minnesota politicians as gophers: the state gets a nickname, as does the University.
1899
Football games at brand new Greater Northrop Field draw crowds of up to 20,000.
Minnesota begins varsity competition in men’s track and field.