[1] During the year, Goldy makes over 1000 appearances and is at virtually all home games for University teams, usually wearing the appropriate sporting attire.

Minnesota became known as the "Gopher State" in 1857, the result of a political cartoon ridiculing the $5 million Railroad Loan which helped open up the West.

One benefit during the cold games at Memorial Stadium in November was that Goldy Gopher was one of the few fans that stayed warm.

Each band member who was allowed the joy of being the Gopher developed an individual personality, a unique way of relating to the crowd.

From 1952 until 1990, the Gopher appearing at U of M sports events was a member of the Marching Band, and a symbiosis developed through the years that on more than one occasion kept Goldy out of trouble.

With a propensity for attracting tail-pulling kids, Goldy relied on the band to save the gopher from their clutches.

[3] They are considered a part of the "Spirit Squad" at the University of Minnesota, which encompasses the cheerleading and dance teams.

The first official logo was made in the 1940s by sports merchandiser George Grooms, featuring a smiling "gopher" wearing a hat with the letter M on it.

In 1979, the University hired Bill Stein to draw a new look for Goldy, which consisted of the mascot waving and wearing a shirt.

[9] Responding to the criticism, the University's athletics department asked Wanvig in 1986 to tone down Goldy, who was then drawn in the same style, but without huge muscles and with a friendlier expression.

The goal of the statue, located in the front of Coffman Memorial Union, was to promote school spirit and start new traditions.

The University of Minnesota Administration hopes the iconic symbol will help students interact with the spirit and new traditions involving Goldy the Gopher.

On Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, while returning from a campus event, Goldy was struck at low velocity by a city bus.

Bystanders reported hearing "a sharp yelp" as the bus and Goldy collided, before quickly rushing to help.