University of Minnesota Athletics

Black History Month 2026

As we celebrate those who make us great, Gopher Athletics will showcase current student-athletes, staff, alumni, and coaches each day throughout Black History Month this February. Each Friday, a cumulation of the past week's honorees will be featured on gophersports.com.

A commemorative poster has also been created that will be available at events and the Athletes Village. Featured on this year's poster are Teryn Crump (gymnastics), Taylor Woodson (women's basketball), Jae Cosgriff (softball), Quincy Hulverson (wrestling), Tristan Moore (baseball) and Hakeem Ford (men's track).

The first Gopher athletic events highlighting Black History Month will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at both the Gopher gymnastics meet vs. UCLA and at the men's hockey game vs. Ohio State. Other events throughout the month: Feb. 12 (women's basketball vs. Ohio State), Feb. 14 (tennis vs. Alabama), Feb. 15 (wrestling vs. Michigan State), Feb. 20 (women's hockey vs. Minnesota Duluth) and Feb. 21 (men's basketball vs. Rutgers). 

The University of Minnesota will also play 'Lift Every Voice and Sing', throughout the month of February at athletic events. At the turn of the 20th century, James Weldon Johnson, who wrote the lyrics, eloquently captured the solemn yet hopeful appeal for the liberty of Black Americans. Set against the religious invocation of God and the promise of freedom, the song was later adopted by NAACP and prominently used as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.