I don't think Minnesota has ever gotten the recognition it deserves for its role in integrating intercollegiate sports, thanks largely to Carl Rowan. Rowan was an African-American journalist who got a masters in journalism from the University and began his professional career on the staff of the Minneapolis Tribune (which was latter merged with the Minneapolis Star to become the Star-Tribune). At a time when most major football programs would not play African-American players, Rowan helped Murray Warmath recruit African-American players, including Bobby Lee Bell, Carl Eller, Sandy Stephens and Bill Munsey. Thanks in large part to these players, Minnesota went to the Rose Bowl in 1961 and 1962, and won a national championship in 1960.