A Dance With A Message: University of Minnesota

Share This Post

The screen was dark, and the crowd was watching — waiting for the reigning 2017 division IA jazz champions to glide onto the UDA College Nationals stage.

When the announcer called their name, a group of sparkling figures appeared, holding hands, marching forward, ready to perform with purpose.

They found their places and waited. The music started and the routine spoke for itself.

“Row the boat” was the theme of the routine, inspired by the University of Minnesota football coach P.J. Fleck and his famous mantra inspiring perseverance and a never give up mentality. Fleck began using this phrase as his life and coaching mantra after losing his infant son in 2011.

To row the boat (and keep moving forward in life), no matter the situation, you have to keep your oars in the water and move forward. The dramatic music and movement of the choreography used in the team's jazz routine captured the spirit of the theme perfectly.

“We’re looking for more performance tomorrow. We want the team to take people on a journey with them,” the coaches told us after their semifinal performance on Saturday. And if you're a Minnesota insider, when you hear the music you know the piece features voiceovers from coach Fleck, which adds an even more personal touch to the routine.

If you missed the Golden Gopher dance team's day one performance, watch them take the stage in Pom and Jazz Finals LIVE, on Sunday, January 14, in HP Field House!

[Watch] The University of Minnesota's Semi-Final Performance:

Related News

Meet The 2026 Varsity Cheer League Champions

Meet The 2026 Varsity Cheer League Champions

Another year of the Varsity Cheer League is now officially in the books! Season 4 was the biggest yet as teams were bold with their event schedules to rack up those points. We saw some of our highest total point values and countless teams with an undefeated season. These athletes should be so proud of how they made it count all season long! It's time to meet the 2026 Varsity Cheer League champions!

Apr. 22, 2026

Get Ready For The 2026 Youth Summit!

Get Ready For The 2026 Youth Summit!

The final climb is officially here! A total of 551 teams are heading to Tampa, Florida for the Youth Summit, all chasing their moment on one of the sport’s biggest stages. After a season of hard work, dedication, and standout performances, these teams have earned their place among the best. As the competition heats up, all eyes are on the programs that have made the climb—here are a few teams to keep on your radar as they take the floor:

Apr. 20, 2026

How To Watch The 2026 Varsity Cheer League Awards Show

How To Watch The 2026 Varsity Cheer League Awards Show

Season 4 of the Varsity Cheer League is officially in the books! Teams have been hard at work all season long earning points at Varsity All Star events to work their way to the top of the leaderboard. Now, the final 300 points of the season are on the line THIS weekend at the Aloha York Showdown. The end of the regular season means it's almost time to celebrate our 2026 Varsity Cheer League champions! Here's all you need to know about how to tune in to watch the Varsity Cheer League Awards Show where all winners will be unveiled.

Apr. 15, 2026