Badger State Games of the games. The Wisconsin Amateur Sports Corporation, a non-profit organization, began organizing the first edition of the Badger State Games in 1984. The plan was closely associated with Madison's bid for the 1987 National Sports Festival, which was ultimately awarded to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The inaugural Badger State Games were held in Madison in 1985, with ceremonies including an Olympic-style torch relay that circled the state over the course of two weeks. Wisconsin became the sixteenth state to hold a statewide multi-sport event, with the National Congress of State Games created in 1988 to serve as their governing body.
The Minnesota State Rouser change to Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998 and has certain emphasis on the nickname 'Minnesota State'. The tune references the latest school mascot adopted in 1977, the Maverick, a wild unbranded male steer bull and was written as a result of the winning suggestion by then Professor of Education Roy Cook. Hail to our colors, <br> The purple and the gold. <br> Rally for vict'ry, <br> We're back of you so fight, fight, fight. <br> You'll conquer our foes all you Mav'ricks brave and bold. <br> So fight on Minnesota State, <br> Come on let's go, let's go! <br>