Athletics | 10/20/2021 3:21:00 PM

The University of Minnesota will celebrate 50 years of women’s athletics throughout the 2021-22 academic year, beginning this weekend at soccer and volleyball events.

“Minnesota has a strong history of supporting women’s athletics and is a leader in providing meaningful opportunities for female student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. “We are excited to celebrate 50 years of women’s athletics at Minnesota and to highlight the tremendous accomplishments of our current and former student-athletes, coaches and teams.”

Throughout the academic year, Gopher Athletics will chronicle the stories of its women’s sports dating back its inception in 1971. Fans can celebrate online or at all our Gopher events this season. Information surrounding certain Gopher Athletic events can be found HERE.


The University of Minnesota officially recognized women’s athletics through the physical education department in 1971 and was given a budget of $5,000 from the Board of Regents’ reserve fund. From there, swimming and diving was established as the first official women’s varsity intercollegiate sport in 1971, followed by its first women’s head coach, Jean Freeman in 1973. The University of Minnesota officially formed the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic department in July of 1975. 

Since 1971, the University of Minnesota has added 12 varsity sports, the most recent being rowing in 2000. The Big Ten formally sponsored women’s conference play and championships in 1982. Minnesota had separate Men’s and Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics Departments before it merged together in 2002.

Since the inception of Minnesota women’s sports, the Golden Gophers have won seven national titles, 64 conference championships and 16 individual national championships. In addition, the University of Minnesota boasts some of the nation’s best facilities, five of which are named after women: Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center (swimming & 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 Gopher women’s sports, while the NCAA will recognize 50 years of Title IX, starting at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four, April 1-3, at Target Center here in Minneapolis.