Badger State Games to extend opportunities to even more athletes. Otto Breitenbach became the executive director of the Wisconsin Amateur Sports Corporation in 1988, and he was credited with raising the profile and scope of the games during his nine-year tenure. By 1997, when Breitenbach retired, the Badger State Games was "considered by many to be the current standard bearer" among statewide multi-sport events, and the country's largest relative to state population. At the 2006 summer games, Bill Wambach of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, a long-time competitor, broke the national high-jump record for the 80- to 84-year-old division with a jump of 1.26 meters.
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>