Students cheering in the student section during Gopher football game

Gopher Athletics

Welcome to the Big Ten, sports fans. Big Ten athletics have a way of energizing all students, and while Gopher student-athletes compete at the highest level in their sports, they also regularly rank tops in academics among public institutions. Our athletes are driven, and our fans are driven to support them.

3.44+

Average student-athlete GPA (first among public institutions)

600+

Number of student-athletes

22

Number of sports

3.44+

Average student-athlete GPA (first among public institutions)

600+

Number of student-athletes

22

Number of sports

History

From the history of our school colors (maroon and gold), to the creation of cheerleading in 1898 and the birth of the world's most lovable mascot, Goldy Gopher, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities sporting scene enjoys a rich heritage.

News

University of Minnesota cheer team members, competing for Team USA, pose with medals and the U.S. flag.
Feature

Gophers are golden for Team USA

The University of Minnesota and Team USA took home a gold and silver medal at the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Championships.

An image of Goldy Gopher from 1985
Feature

Happy Anniversary, Fierce Goldy!

Most of us have come to know Goldy Gopher, the beloved mascot of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, as a perpetually smiling character who never shies away from a photograph. But Goldy has a complicated history, and wasn't so cuddly once upon a time.