When I went to the U, we always called it “the U“, knowing full well that it wasn’t the only U in the world or the US. It’s not even the only U of M. The guys on ESPN’s NFL Tonight always refer to the University of Miami as “the U”. I think mainly because Michael Irvin went there and the insignia on their football helmets is a big “U”. But I’ve seen stories in newspapers (even other than the Strib or Pioneer Press) and on sports websites calling the University of Minnesota “the U“.

But just because I was curious I searched for “the U” (in quotes) on google today and what should come up as the first hit? Why, the U’s website. Just like the proof that I’m a doctor google’s high ranking proves that my U is the U