![What Does Ski-U-Mah Mean? Learn About PJ Fleck’s New Favorite Phrase](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/pj-fleck-sky-u-mah-minnesota.jpg?w=630&h=366&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
What Does Ski-U-Mah Mean? Learn About PJ Fleck’s New Favorite Phrase
Western Michigan University Bronco fans are very accustomed to hearing former coach PJ Fleck and his 'Row the Boat' mantra. But after being introduced as the new coach at Minnesota, the rallying cry is now Ski-U-Mah. So what exactly does that mean?
Fleck has used the phrase multiple times during his first day as the Golden Gophers head coach. First after landing in Minnesota and again during his introductory press conference.
According to Wikipedia, the phrase has been associated with the University of Minnesota since 1884:
U of M Rugby captain John Adams had heard Sioux boys yell "ski-yoo!" when they won canoe races on Lake Pepin. He incorrectly interpreted that phrase as the Sioux word for victory, or exultation and suggested it as a cheer for the University rugby team. A co-captain added the "mah" to make it rhyme with "rah" and created "Ski-U-Mah!" The slogan has been used to cheer on the Minnesota Golden Gophers athletics teams.
Should Fleck not be able to work out an agreement with his former employer Western Michigan University over the rights to the phrase Row the Boat, there's a new catchphrase ready to go in Minneapolis.
More From 107.7 WRKR-FM
![PJ Fleck Gets To Take ‘Row The Boat’ to Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2017/01/GettyImages-607342006.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WMU Broncos Super Fan Michael Louden Thanks Former Coach PJ Fleck](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/michael-louden.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Watch PJ Fleck’s First Interview And Press Conference As New Minnesota Head Coach](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/GettyImages-620181692.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Media Discusses Their New Head Football Coach PJ Fleck and Who They Wished Got the Job](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/minnesota-media-talks-new-head-coach-pj-fleck.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![PJ Fleck Has Already Departed Kalamazoo – Watch Him Land in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/pj-fleck-lands-in-Minnesota.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Surprise – PJ Fleck Doesn’t Own the Phrase ‘Row the Boat,’ Western Michigan University Does](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/01/row-the-boat-western-michigan-.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![University of Minnesota Confirms P.J. Fleck is New Head Football Coach](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2017/01/GettyImages-630803166.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan, Ohio & Indiana Cities You Never Knew That Once Had MLB Baseball Teams](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2024/07/attachment-baseball-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Man Didn’t Remove Cap During National Anthem At Tigers Game & All Hell Broke Loose](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2024/07/attachment-baseball-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)