University of Minnesota Athletics
M.A.G.I.C. History
Maroon and Gold Impacting the Community (M.A.G.I.C.) was established in 2003. M.A.G.I.C was built on best practices from the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success) initiative and a donation from the St. Jude Medical Foundation. From its inception, M.A.G.I.C. has been dedicated to providing Gopher student-athletes with meaningful community impact opportunities.
In 2007, the program grew as St. Jude Medical Foundation and Golden Gopher Athletics expanded M.A.G.I.C. to provide more leadership and service opportunities. This growth was fueled by the introduction of a branded M.A.G.I.C. Bus. The M.A.G.I.C. Bus allows student-athletes and staff greater access to youth in Minnesota, as well as bring them to campus. The M.A.G.I.C. Bus revolutionized how Gopher student-athletes are able to impact our community.
In 2009, M.A.G.I.C. introduced the “Exercise Your Heart and Mind” campaign to encourage children to exercise to keep both heart and mind healthy, as well as the “Tobacco Free is the Way to Be” initiative to talk with young people about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke. In recognition of these successful campaigns, Director of Student-Athlete Development Anissa Lightner, received the 2009 University of Minnesota President's Award for Outstanding Service, celebrating her instrumental role in the success of these efforts.
In 2017, Abbott acquired St. Jude Medical and has continued the annual financial support of MAGIC and the successes of the program and Gopher student athletes. As it has for more than a decade, M.A.G.I.C. aspires to provide transformational development experiences for every Gopher student-athlete, coach, and staff member, through community service opportunities. M.A.G.I.C. will continue to provide Golden Gopher Athletics with service opportunities that focus on personal development and improving all of Minnesota.
In 2007, the program grew as St. Jude Medical Foundation and Golden Gopher Athletics expanded M.A.G.I.C. to provide more leadership and service opportunities. This growth was fueled by the introduction of a branded M.A.G.I.C. Bus. The M.A.G.I.C. Bus allows student-athletes and staff greater access to youth in Minnesota, as well as bring them to campus. The M.A.G.I.C. Bus revolutionized how Gopher student-athletes are able to impact our community.
In 2009, M.A.G.I.C. introduced the “Exercise Your Heart and Mind” campaign to encourage children to exercise to keep both heart and mind healthy, as well as the “Tobacco Free is the Way to Be” initiative to talk with young people about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke. In recognition of these successful campaigns, Director of Student-Athlete Development Anissa Lightner, received the 2009 University of Minnesota President's Award for Outstanding Service, celebrating her instrumental role in the success of these efforts.
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In 2017, Abbott acquired St. Jude Medical and has continued the annual financial support of MAGIC and the successes of the program and Gopher student athletes. As it has for more than a decade, M.A.G.I.C. aspires to provide transformational development experiences for every Gopher student-athlete, coach, and staff member, through community service opportunities. M.A.G.I.C. will continue to provide Golden Gopher Athletics with service opportunities that focus on personal development and improving all of Minnesota.