Athletics Tradition
The Name
Southwest Minnesota State University has enjoyed a healthy amount of name changes during its tenure among the Minnesota State Colleges and University System.
The institution was originally named "Southwest Minnesota State College". On Aug. 1, 1975, Southwest Minnesota State College became "Southwest State University". The SSU tag stayed with the University until July 1, 2003. In an effort to gain a geographical identity, SSU added "Minnesota" to its name, giving the University its current "Southwest Minnesota State University" label.
Per University guidelines, there are two acceptable usages of the school's name. "Southwest Minnesota State University" is acceptable on first reference of the school, while "SMSU" is acceptable on second reference. The word "Minnesota" should always be included in the name, and "Southwest" should always be spelled out in first reference. "Southwest State University" or "SW Minnesota State" are not acceptable.
The Nickname
In January of 1968, students, faculty and staff chose "Golden Mustangs" as the nickname for their athletics teams. Four months later, Simba Sixtyseven, a palomino quarter horse, became the official mascot of the school. Currently, "Golden" has been dropped and the mascot is officially "Mustangs." In the early 2000s, the mascot's official name was changed to "Stanger".
Women's teams at SMSU called themselves the "Pintos" until September 1988 when those squads opted to change their nickname to the "Mustangs."
The SMSU wheelchair basketball teams were known as the "Broncos" since the program's inception in 1969. The wheelchair basketball program changed its name to the "Mustangs" prior to the 1994-95 season.
The School Colors
Southwest Minnesota State University's official school colors are Brown and Vegas Gold. Students chose those as the official school colors in September 1967.
The Fight Song
Let's go Southwest
Show them your best
Make our rivals see
We fight to win
So let's begin
Our battle for victory
Let's unite our spirit and might
And make a win our fate
Fight for the name
and fight for the fame
For us at Southwest!
Click to hear the fight song
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