Minnesota “Hail to Thee” CrewneckHail! Minnesota was written by Truman Rickard for the 1904 University of Minnesota senior class play. It gained such popularity the following year that it was sung at most student gatherings and sporting events. By 1945, it had even become the official state song of Minnesota (with one small wording change). Hang around after Gopher football games and you can hear the University of Minnesota Marching Band sing the song in their post game performance.