How the Minnesota Rouser became the Gophers' themeHow the Minnesota Rouser became the Gophers' themeHow the Minnesota Rouser became the Gophers' themeIf you've been to a home Gopher game, you've heard it: the Minnesota Rouser. The song has been played by the Gopher marching band for over 100 years. "Playing it really connects us to the history of the band and the people who came before us," she said. "They were asking everybody throughout the state, students, anybody from anywhere, submit songs for an exciting, rousing song for Minnesota," he said. "On Nov. 21, 1909, Minneapolis Sunday Tribune published a supplement that was the actual sheet music to the U of M Rouser," Gaffron said.