#1. Let me start with saying there is no way from my post than you can assume that I am 'at least 60'. Do your math or check the dates.
#2. Yes the U of M is more of a state institution. First off it's been around since the 1800's it is owned by the citizens of the state. As someone else pointed out it affects our everyday life through the extension office and other departments, as ruralgopher pointed out. Sports fans cheered for the Gophers long before the pro teams. Some still cheer for the Gophers, some for the pro teams and some for both.
#3. I need to realize the times are changing?. I think I may have a little better handle on that since I have a better idea of what they are changing from. Remember; I've been your age, you've never been my age.
#4. As far as sports bars, well I have spent the vast majority of my adult life in the hospitality business so let's not even go there. As far as what teams have more support; anyone with an IQ above that of an average plant can tell the Vikes and Twins have the largest following, and to a smaller degree probably the Wild and maybe even the struggling T-Wolves(which as a hockey person you left out).
#5 Interesting the way you seem to get in you main interest-hockey. You obviously don't like the Gopher hockey team. Many people have debated whether MN is a basketball state or a hockey state. I've had this debate with numerous friends over the years and their comment always is that there are more MN hockey players on the college, national and international level than there are in basketball. My reply has always been; if that is the criteria then MN should be known as a curling state.
BTW you assume too many things.
CHEERS
Let me respond is a calm analytical manner so you can rip me in the next post.
1.) You said that they were around before the pro teams, which the Twins and Vikings came in 1961, so for you to remember cheering on the gophers before the pro teams you would have to be bare minimum of 55. Sorry, I was a few years off, but that still would only make you 6 when the Vikes and Twins came, so more than likely you are 60+.
2.) Yes the U has been around since 1851 I believe, but SCSU was 1869 and Mankato was 1867. What does that matter. I think we are just arguing over the symantics of "institution", so not really worth arguing about.
3.) Don't even come at me with the "I'm older than you so therefore I know more than you" arguement. All I'm saying is that the culture with young people is changing and they cheer for the pro teams more because they have been around their whole life. That is all I was saying and being that I'm younger than you I believe I would be more informed on what younger people think according to your criteria. I understand that the U has deep roots and cheering on the gophers used to be huge, but you have to admit the pendulum is swinging to the pro teams.
4.) Your comments proved my point that people in rural areas care more about Vikings, etc. than the gophers. And yes I left out the Wolves because they aren't relevant. I used to be a big KG fan but don't really care about basketball much anymore.
5.) The only reason I bring up hockey is because it has the most D1 teams to compare the gophers to. By the way hockey is only my third favorite sport and I used to love the gophers growing up. Now if my team gets beat in the NCAA tourney then I cheer for the gophers if they move on. I just don't like what the gopher hockey team has turned into.
There I laid out my points with reasons behind my arguements, so go ahead and rip away. I have no problem with differing opinions, but please come at me with valid arguements. Not you suck, or you don't get it, and other valuable comments.
