Cheerleading's Start at the University of Minnesota
Crowds cheering from the stands has been a huge part of collegiate sports from the very get go. But did you know that cheer-LEADING actually started at the University of Minnesota?
John E. “Johnny” Campbell
In 1898, the Minnesota Gophers were NOT having a great season. 3-4 going into the game with Northwestern University, some students felt like the team needed a little extra encouragement. Student John E. Campbell took the initiative, jumped in front of the crowd and LED them in a cheer. Five other spirited gents joined him. They shouted, “Rah! Rah! Rah! Ski-U-Mah! Hurrah! Minnesota! Hurrah!”
And the Gophers came through, winning 17-6.
With that kind of influence, “Yell Leaders” quickly became regular participants at games. The idea caught on to other schools and “Rooter Clubs” spread across the country. The captain of the squad was called the Rooter King.
Ladies weren’t “officially” included until 1940. World War II had drained the University campus of men and the women were welcomed to fill the ranks. They brought new flexibility, ideas, gymnastics and stunts into the cheers and the sport really started to take on the characteristics of the outstanding athleticism we see today.
Since then, the U’s Spirit Squads have become some of the best in the country - especially the Dance Team who, as of this writing, have won 22 consecutive National Championships.
“Ski U Mah” (pronounced SKY-YOU-MAH) became a traditional cheer for Gopher fans. The story goes that a couple of rugby players overheard some Dakota yell “Ski-oo!” after winning a canoe race. They inferred that it meant “victory” and added “Mah” to signify the University of “Minnesotah”. Although that’s a great tale, Dakota scholars have confirmed that, no, it doesn’t actually mean anything. It may have caught on because it does have a similar ring to another popular cheer of the time - Sis-Boom-Bah that originated at Yale.
Row the Boat, Ski U Mah, Go Gophers!
