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Athletics | 10/20/2021 3:21:00 p.m.
The University of Minnesota is celebrating 50 years of women’s athletics in the 2021-22 academic year, starting this weekend with soccer and volleyball events.
“Minnesota has a long history of supporting women in athletics and leading the way in providing meaningful opportunities for female students and athletes,” said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. “We are excited to celebrate 50 years of Minnesota women’s athletics and to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our current and former student-athletes, coaches and teams.”
Throughout the academic year, Gopher Athletics will record the stories of its women’s sport since its inception in 1971. Fans can celebrate online this season or at any of our Gopher events. Information on specific Gopher Athletic events can be found HERE.
The University of Minnesota officially recognized women’s athletics through the Department of Physical Education in 1971 and received a budget of $ 5,000 from the Reserve Fund of the Board of Regents. From there, swimming and diving were established as the first official university sport for women in 1971, followed by its first women head coach, Jean Freeman in 1973. The University of Minnesota officially established the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Department in July 1975.
Since 1971, the University of Minnesota has added 12 varsity sports, most recently rowing in 2000. The Big Ten officially sponsored conference games and championships for women in 1982.
Since the inception of women’s sports in Minnesota, the Golden Gophers have won seven national titles, 64 conference championships, and 16 national individual championships. In addition, the University of Minnesota has some of the best facilities in the country, five of which are named after women: Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center (swimming and diving), Ridder Arena (women’s hockey), Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium (soccer), Irene Claudia Kroll Boathouse (rowing) and Jane Sage Cowles Stadium (softball).
This academic year celebrates 50 years of women’s gopher sports as the NCAA recognizes 50 years of Title IX, beginning with the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four April 1-3 at the Target Center here in Minneapolis.
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