U of M gets backlash after tweet congratulating former Gopher on making Olympics
The University of Minnesota is facing some criticism on social media over a congratulatory message.
Saturday, on Twitter, the school congratulated Gophers alum Shane Wiskus for making Team USA’s men’s Olympic gymnastics team, posting, “Congratulations to #Gophers alum Shane Wiskus on earning his spot on @USAGym’s Olympic Team! This will be Shane’s first Olympic Games!”
Congratulations to #Gophers alum Shane Wiskus on earning his spot on @USAGym’s Olympic Team! This will be Shane’s first Olympic Games! pic.twitter.com/kHW8i6nELF
— Minnesota Gophers (@GopherSports) June 26, 2021
But some Gophers fans called out the university for highlighting Wiskus after cutting its men’s gymnastics program last year.
One person wrote, “He doesn’t represent you anymore because you cut men’s gymnastics. Shame on you. If you don’t support him you don’t get to share in his victories.”
Another wrote, “You cut his program. You do not get to celebrate this.”
Michael Wiskus, Shane’s father, didn’t get upset by the tweet but he’s not happy that the university cut gymnastics.
“We’re not rock-throwers,” Michael Wiskus said. “We’re going to take the high road. My son took the high road. We like the University of Minnesota. We’re thankful. Other things could have been done. There could have been other choices and options that they didn’t even consider.”
In a statement, the University of Minnesota said:
“We are proud of all Minnesota student-athletes — both current and former — who qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, and we have congratulated all of them on their accomplishments.”