I had the pleasure of being part of a Coaches Caravan, which traversed the state in April to share the news about the future of men’s and women’s athletics at the U. My message on behalf of the University was that if Minnesotans want Gopher athletics to be financially viable, Minnesotans need to stand behind their Gophers. Three days, eight cities, and 1,009 miles later, I had delivered that message to more than 1,000 alumni and friends in greater Minnesota.

Our group consisted of outgoing men’s athletics director Tom Moe, football coach Glen Mason, men’s basketball coach Dan Monson, wrestling coach J Robinson, former men’s hockey coach Doug Woog, and, of course, Goldy Gopher. When we reached Owatonna, we were joined by outgoing women’s athletics director Chris Voelz, women’s volleyball coach Mike Hebert, and women’s gymnastics coaches Meg and Jim Stephenson. With this stellar cast on stage and WCCO Radio’s Mike Max, Dave Mona, and Dave Lee acting as emcees, we packed malls, Rotary Clubs, and sports bars in Duluth, Brainerd, Fargo, Alexandria, Willmar, Worthington, Owatonna, and Rochester.

When we first boarded the bus in Minneapolis, we had our laptop computers, cell phones, and day planners in tow and began carrying out our usual, day-to-day University business. Until we saw the fans. At Brainerd, for example, a crowd of Gopher fans greeted us, many of whom were decked out in maroon and gold, waving pom-poms and singing the "Minnesota Rouser." Some of them came to meet the coaches and collect autographs. Others shared their Gopher sports memories. And many brought cameras and posed for photos with their favorite coaches, Paul Bunyan’s axe, and our NCAA trophies. The excitement in the crowds was electrifying, and we caravaners were blown over by it. What started out as a job turned into a passionate mission. We packed away our unfinished work and immersed ourselves completely in the adventure. As Coach Mason enthusiastically proclaimed, "This is a blast!"

Many friends and alumni of the U told us how they felt about Gopher sports. Donald Hansen of Alexandria noted that he hopes to see men’s basketball back on television outside the metro area someday so that Coach Monson can "inspire young men to play for the Gophers and enhance his Upper Midwest recruiting efforts." Many others commented on the importance of giving our football team a stadium on campus to return the Saturday afternoon Gopher football game experience to the University where it belongs.

Ardell Brede later commented on the caravan stop in Rochester: "With 350 attending the event in Rochester, it’s obvious that out-state Minnesotans want to be involved in U happenings and sports in particular," he said. "We support the Gophers!"

What I told the audiences I addressed on behalf of the University bears repeating. The University of Minnesota touches nearly everyone in the state. As a graduate of the University, you are a part of the U’s history and a permanent stakeholder in the institution. Some of your relatives may also be alumni. You undoubtedly know talented doctors, nurses, veterinarians, lawyers, artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs who are graduates. And whether or not you realize it, your life is better because of the remarkable research done at the U, such as the work that led to the invention of seatbelts, fluoride toothpaste, and the black-box flight recorder.

What does this have to do with sports? Quite a lot.

Gopher sports programs are the University of Minnesota’s teams, but they are also the state of Minnesota’s teams. And buying tickets, attending games and matches, cheering our student athletes, and wearing maroon and gold are easy, direct, and tangible ways to show pride in the University.

Getting in the game is also vitally important to these sports programs and the University. Fiscal stability will not come easily for the merged athletics department. Some alumni and friends are already stepping forward to help save the golf and men’s gymnastics programs for at least three more years. But we all have to pitch in. Both Glen Mason and Tom Moe pointed out that if we fill the Metrodome every Gopher home football game, we will show our school spirit to our players and the visiting teams, and we will take a giant step toward balancing the athletics department’s budget.

Minnesotans not only need to stand behind their Gophers, they need to show up and cheer. But while supporting Gopher sports is critical, believe me, it is also great fun.