Battle for The Axe

It can be said that I have a strong dislike for the University of Wisconsin's athletic teams. I was born in the Twin Cities, and was raised as a Golden Gophers fan. I received a degree from the University of Minnesota, and participated in the Minnesota Marching Band. As such, the Gophers' rivalries are engraved in my mind, including the "Border Battle" between the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin, truly one of the best in all of sports.

But let me clarify: I do not "hate" the University of Wisconsin, or its athletic teams. I have always tried to remain in good spirits about the Border Battle; to see through the intense emotions, posturing, and slogans that inevitably arise every time the Gophers and Badgers take the field together, in order to enjoy the rivalry for what it is: a classic contest between two storied Universities, adding yet another chapter to a long tradition of competition. I have always respected the University of Wisconsin, as a quality institution, with a successful athletics program.

So, this weekend, as I cheered on my Gophers against their rivals from across the St. Croix River, I tried my hardest to exhibit nothing but the best sportsmanship. Fully aware of all of the slogans that inebriated students love to scream at anyone within earshot (especially toward those wearing red), I graciously welcomed fans of the Badgers to my home state, or at the very least let them be, hoping for them to enjoy their game day experience in Minneapolis.

At the game, I sat in my seat in the upper deck of TCF Bank Stadium, which happens to be directly in front of one the blocks of seats that are sold to opposing teams' fans. Again, I let the steady stream of Badger fans pass by me without incident; I was there to cheer on my team, not to ridicule and harass their opponents. As the clock expired, resulting in a Gophers loss, I accepted the fact that I would have to cheerfully endure yet another year of the good-natured ribbing that goes hand-in-hand with a rivalry such as this.

I sat in the emptying stadium, immersed in my own thoughts about how wonderful it would have been to see my Gophers hoist The Paul Bunyan's Axe Trophy in victory. I watched with quiet envy as the University of Wisconsin Football team cheerfully paraded around the field with the coveted prize, something that they had earned the right to do after a well-fought football game.

Then, I saw something that instantly made my dejection turn to silent rage.

Following the game, I stood and removed my hat to sing Hail! Minnesota (our Alma Mater) with the band, football team, and student section at the end of the game, as we do at every game. As I began to sing, the Wisconsin Football Team, Axe Trophy in hand, ran in between the Minnesota Football Team and Band, and began to "chop" down the goalpost that stood there, while fans of the University of Minnesota were singing their Alma Mater.

I have attended a decent number of contests between the Gophers and the Badgers; it seems that all too many of them ended in disappointing losses. I was mere yards away from the decisive touchdown in the 2005 "Miracle in the Metrodome." I was at the game at the Kohl Center when the Badgers' Men's Hockey team ended the Gophers' 22-game unbeaten streak in 2006. I was there when the Wisconsin Women's Hockey team defeated Minnesota for the National Title. But after none of these games did I ever say, as I do now:

Today was the day I lost my respect for the University of Wisconsin.

The University of Wisconsin football team should be reminded that they are not only an athletics team, but also are representatives of their institution and the state for which it is named. Today, in their rude and disrespectful actions following their victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, they have utterly failed in that role.

Now, I too can state with certainty: "When you say 'Wisconsin,' you've said it all."