The Barnyard Mission Statement

What is The Barnyard anyway?

The student section at the University of Minnesota's men's basketball games is known as The Barnyard. Throughout the 2007-08 basketball season The Barnyard hopes to soar to new levels of excitement and involvement by gaining the support of students, players, and alumni. This season The Barnyard has adopted the slogan FEAR THE BARN with goals of making Williams Arena one of the toughest places for an away team to win, not only in the Big Ten, but in the entire country.

How does The Barnyard plan to accomplish this?

The Barnyard Executive Board is comprised of passionate volunteers who work with our dedicated fans, Men's Basketball, The Marketing Department, and Community. The board members meet often to make sure that everything runs smoothly between themselves and the basketball program and University. The volunteers perform many different tasks ranging from selling season tickets, working with area businesses to gain sponsorships and giveaways, gaining awareness from the public for The Barnyard, and building relationships with the Golden Dunkers. Additionally, the board members put on an array of social events to promote The Barnyard and, of course, the basketball team. Some of these social events include; away-game day parties at Stub N Herbs, an away-game trip, post-game gatherings, as well as additional game day activities to enhance the atmosphere at Williams Arena.

The Barnyard also has made it a priority to give back to the community. We have chosen to support the Children's Cancer Research Fund in their Gopher-A-Cure campaign, this is the philanthropy that the Monson's raise money for. The Barnyard raises money through a silent auction, phone-a-thon, and a program called Sponsor-A-Student, where students acquire pledges to dress up in crazy Gopher gear for a particular, usually nationally-televised, game.

So why does the Barnyard Board do this?

The Barnyard Board is comprised of some of the University's biggest and most enthusiastic Golden Gopher Basketball fans. As a group we believe that a prestigious university as large as the University of Minnesota should stand behind their basketball program. As a student section The Barnyard works to carry on the traditions of not only the University, but the prestige and tradition of the Big Ten conference.

So what does it all mean for ME?!

If you are a college basketball, and especially a Golden Gopher Basketball fan then The Barnyard wants you! We hope you take the time to join a special group of students who stand up for their University, basketball team, and who also love to have a good time and meet others who enjoy your passion for Golden Gopher Basketball!!!