By: Samuel Gordon

In the future, we’ll get to a day and age when being a gay athlete won’t be front-page news.

That’s not the case in today’s society.

On Sunday, however, Missouri defensive end Michael Sam brought us closer to that day by tearing at the cultural barrier that rejects homosexuality in sports.

On Sunday, Sam showed us that he’s not about dollars — he’s about change.

On Sunday, Sam, whose professional career has yet to begin, paved the way for young athletes who might not yet have the courage to stand up for who they are.

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Many University of Minnesota students are used to spending hundreds on textbooks each semester. And with new editions coming out annually, selling books back to the University Bookstore is not as easy as advertised.

Even if the University Bookstores buy back a student’s books at the end of the semester, they typically pay a significantly reduced price, undoubtedly making some students wonder if it’s worth it to buy their books through the University at all.

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By: Dane Mizutani

A trip home is all the Gophers needed after losing two of their first three matches.

Minnesota won all three of its matches in the friendly confines of the Baseline Tennis Center last weekend.

Still, head coach Geoff Young said the home-court advantage has no impact on his team’s wins or its losses.

“I don’t know that there’s that much difference between being at home and being on the road,” Young said. “I like it both ways, I guess.”

His players have a different take.

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By: David Nelson

While Gophers sophomores Hanna Nordquist and Madie Hanley usually compete in just one event, the two are anything but one-dimensional.

“They’re both incredible gymnasts,” head coach Meg Stephenson said. “So the chances of them getting in on more events is possible every week … because of what they are capable of doing.”

Nordquist and Hanley’s talents were on display last weekend at Nebraska, where they found themselves with the two highest individual scores on the team.

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By: Jace Frederick

The Gophers lost their third straight game Wednesday night, falling to Purdue 77-74 in triple overtime.

“We’ve got a pretty disappointed team [in the locker room],” head coach Richard Pitino told reporters after the game. “We’re close.”

The Gophers were dominated on the glass all game, and that proved to be the difference.

Purdue corralled an astonishing 23 offensive rebounds and used that to score valuable second-chance points.

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By: Jared Christensen

No. 1 versus No. 2. Check.

A sold-out arena. Check.

A rivalry matchup to close out the dual season. Check.

The matchup has been building, and now all that’s left are the actual matches.

No. 2 Minnesota will host No. 1 Penn State this weekend in a battle of Big Ten and NCAA powerhouses.

The Gophers wrestling team has lost only one dual this year — an upset loss to then-No. 19 Michigan. The Nittany Lions haven’t lost yet.

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By: Jack Satzinger

Minnesota head coach Pam Borton sat opposite senior forward Micaëlla Riché at Big Ten Media Day in October.

It was Halloween, and the Gophers were in good spirits, unaware of the struggles the season would bring.

Borton joked with Riché about what she expected from the senior in her final season as a Gopher.

“She’ll be great coming off the bench for us this year,” Borton said in a sarcastic tone.

“That better be a joke,” Riché interjected with a grin from the other side of the table.

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By: Jack Satzinger

Some Gophers are heading to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Invitational this weekend. Some are going to race at the Ted Nelson Classic in Mankato.

Others have a week off and are using it to their full advantage.

“We have a weekend off so we’ll take time to train,” Director of Women’s Track and Field Matt Bingle said. “There’s about 10 days here to train, and we want to take care of our bodies and rest a little bit.”

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By: Betsy Helfand

MEGAN BOZEK

Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Bozek, 22, played for the Gophers from 2009-13. She was a two-time national champion during her time at Minnesota and served as a co-captain in her senior season.

Bozek set school records for points by a defenseman (146), and goals defenseman (47).

She has played in two International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championships and two Four Nations Cups. This is her first Olympic appearance.

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By: Fernando Nuñez

In attempts to boost transparency about how jobs are classified at the University of Minnesota, the school is switching up its policies.

The Office of Human Resources is now working with Sibson Consulting to redesign the University’s job descriptions, pay grades and possible career paths for employees, which some faculty and staff leaders say is a step in the right direction.

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