by Goldy the Gopher has been the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities’, mascot since 1952. And now, students were gathering at Williams Arena on Tuesday to show-off their skills in hopes of donning the Goldy costume.
“I went to the info meeting and immediately fell in love with the coach. He seems like a really nice guy,” Sam Moberg, a university freshman said. “And I got to see all the cool stuff that you get to do along side it. And I thought it would be great to expand my horizons and be a part of something that’s bigger than myself almost because I don’t know I just think that’s something amazing even if you’re not getting any of that recognition.”
The Spirit Squad coaches were looking for creativity, innovation, and team work as they looked for the next Goldy. The prospective mascots were tasked with finding new ways to use various props: such as turning a pair of cardboard scissors into a baseball bat, or a giant whistle into a table for tea. As well as acting out various emotions without talking.
“Not only do you have to be creative and thinking on your feet, but you have to be big, large and make the movement exaggerated so everyone knows what you’re doing,” Sydney Meyer, a freshman said. “I had a creative answer with each prop, um like you would be kicked out if you used or repeated a prop or whatnot. I feel like I had very creative answers.”
Energy is the name of the game when Goldy is tasked with doing a push-up for every point scored during a home football game. During last season’s home opener, the Gopher Football Team scored 62-points against Western Illinois on Sept. 10, 2022.
“P.J. ( Fleck) was like impressed that because he kept looking over at what was going on and he was like, ‘we were putting him through the ringer’, and I thought it was pretty funny,” Christian Larson, a sophomore said.
Push ups aren’t the only thing Goldy has to be skilled at. Getting the crowds energized at any event is the main part of being the mascot.
“If I’m Goldy, he will be skiing. Down the slopes and cross-country,” Moberg said.
Goldy appears in over 600 events throughout the year. So, many of these students were also auditioning to be one of Goldy’s team of friends. The coaches declined to reveal how many friends Goldy currently has.
Whether there is one Goldy, or friends, his spinning head is seen everywhere. So, it’s no surprise when students show their admiration towards the Gopher.
“He’s definitely the big man on campus. No yea, he pulls for sure,” Larson joked.
