Our daughter, Amanda, who was born severely disabled, was a huge fan of all University of Minnesota athletics.

I graduated from the U of M after earning a master of social work degree in 1995. Gopher sports have played an important part in my and my husband’s James’ life, and they also came to play a very important part in the life of our daughter and gave her great joy.

Because Amanda was largely nonverbal, it was difficult to know the specific attraction that U of M sports held for her. But she loved Goldy, the bands, athletic action, and cheering along with the crowd.

Amanda lived in a group home from the age of 13, with regular home visits scheduled around the calendar of Gopher sporting events.

She loved going to hockey games at Ridder Arena, women’s softball at Jane Sage Cowles’ Stadium, and all of Gopher football—even back in the years when the games were played at the Metrodome. At those games, she loved to march down the Chicago Avenue sidewalk with the band as it traveled up to the stadium.

Each time we arrived for a game at Ridder, Amanda would run ahead of us to her favorite spot in the bleachers, strategically placed between the concession stand and the pep band. She stood during most of the songs played by the band, dancing along to the music and looking for Goldy to give her a high five. At one game, the director of the pep band asked if she would like to play a drum with one of the students. She did, and was over the moon with excitement. As Amanda returned to her seat, the director said, “she’s got good rhythm!’’

In spite of Amanda’s very limited vocabulary, one of the few words she could say and frequently used was “hockey”—which to her encompassed any sport she enjoyed watching.

Amanda passed away in 2020 at the age of 36. Her celebration of life was held at the U of M’s Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and all attendees were requested to wear maroon and gold in honor of her deep love of Gopher sports.

Amanda‘s birthday, October 28, typically falls somewhere near the U of M Homecoming Week. Every year since her passing, we have hosted a tailgate for family, friends, care staff, and roommates from her group home. We call it “Amanda Fest.”

These gatherings are one way we can honor Amanda’s spirit and celebrate her passion for all of the Golden Gophers.

And we think Amanda’s enthusiasm shows that Gopher sports are truly for everyone.

Lisa Ashley (M.S.W. ’95) completed her degree as a nontraditional student in the first full-time weekend cohort offered by the U of M, 20 years after she first graduated from Illinois State University. While a student at the University, Ashley also worked as dean of students at Hopkins High School, which she retired from in 2015 after 24 years as a school social worker.

If you liked these stories, Minnesota Alumni magazine publishes four times a year highlighting U of M alumni and University activities. Early access to stories and a print subscription are benefits of being an Alumni Association member. Join here to receive a printed copy at home.