Monday, November 6, 2017

On This Date in Minnesota History: November 6

November 6, 1909 – Floyd M. Hutsell of Minneapolis was declared the winner of the university song contest today when the judges met to decide who, out of the nearly 100 candidates, should be given the honor of furnishing the University of Minnesota with its athletic song. The win also brought Hutsell a prize of $100.

Floyd M. Hutsell1

Hutsell’s song was chosen because it presented the best combination of words and music. The air is light and catchy, easily adapted to band music and can be learned without much effort. Professor Carlyle Scott will train the university singers to greet the Minnesota 11 with the strains of Hutsell’s song when they meet the Michigan men on Northrup Field, Nov. 20.

Arrangements are being made to have the song copyrighted in President Northrup’s name.

Governor Eberhart was chairman of the committee of judges. With him were President Northrup, Professor Scott, head of the department of music, J. A. Sende, chief musician of the university band, and Arthur Allen, president of the Glee and Mandolin clubs of the University of Minnesota.

During the judging, Governor Eberhart showed that he was in addition to a statesman and a humorist, a singer of more than ordinary ability. He sweetly sang the words of many of the songs to the accompaniment of Professor Scott on the piano. President Northrup also showed that he was something of a vocalist, and frequently could be heard gently humming one of the melodies that the judges were considering.



University of Minnesota President Cyrus Northrup2


Hutsell, only 27 years old, was born in Sioux City, Ia. and studied music in Chicago. “But I regard Minneapolis as my home,” he said, “and I am proud that I have written a song that will furnish the University of Minnesota with its athletic melody.”

The Minneapolis Tribune; “’U’ Song Prize Won by Floyd M. Hutsell. Victor, Lying on Sickbed, Hears With Joy His Triumph. Governor Sings Songs to Decide Which Should Get Palm. Mill City Composer’s Anthem Selected Out of Field of 100.”; Nov. 7, 1909.

1The Minneapolis Journal; Nov. 14, 1909; p. 17

2https://president.umn.edu/about/presidential-history/cyrus-northrop
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Original Lyrics (As published in The Minneapolis Tribune, Nov. 21, 1909)

Rah, rah,
Honor to our college Minnesota U.
Loyal to thy standards We'll never be untrue.
Underneath thy pennant Pulses beat with pride
And victory e'er shall be our aim O'er the nationwide, (Yell)

Minnesota, hats off to thee,
To your colors true we shall ever be...
Firm and strong, united are we.
Rah, rah, rah, for Ski-U-Ma,
Rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah, rah,
Rah, for the U of M. Ah........ (repeat refrain)


Current Lyrics

Minnesota, hats off to thee!
To thy colors true we shall ever be,
Firm and strong, united are we.
Rah, rah, rah, for Ski-U-Mah,
Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah!
Rah for the U of M.

[Repeat]

M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A!
Minnesota, Minnesota!
Yay, Gophers! RAH!

(The phrase 'Ski-U-Mah' was part of an early cheer for the U of M.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Rouser

Minnesota Rouser on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F52V1_lIlSQ
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