Campus Traditions

Southwest Minnesota State University’s school colors are gold and brown; the mascot is the “Mustang”. The athletic conference for both men’s and women’s athletics is the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), and for wheelchair athletics it is the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC). The University also has affiliation with NCAA Division II.

Southwest Minnesota State University School Song:

Let’s go Southwest
Show them your best
Make our rivals see
We fight to win
So let’s begin
Our battle for victory
Let’s unite our spirit and might
And make a win our fate
Fight for the name and fight for the fame
For us at Southwest State
S-O-U-T-H-W-E-S-T Southwest S-T-A-T-E Southwest State Let’s go!!

Homecoming—a fall tradition at SMSU is Homecoming week. This week sparks enthusiasm for school spirit through various activities, including Game night, Candidates’ night, Coronation, the Homecoming parade and the football game. Homecoming is a time when many SMSU alumni return to campus for special events.

Family Weekend—This is a special weekend when parents, siblings, grandparents and family come to SMSU to have fun with their student and experience some of the activities including home games, a luncheon for students and their families, Chemistry Club Reaction Show, a Planetarium show, Drama Clubs Take 2 Improv, Mustang Zone Game Room free play, William Whipple Art Gallery and other events to choose from.

Festivals and Events—The Club and Organization Activities Fair, International World Festival, Commencement Reception, Winter Meltdown, Tropical Night, Fall Finale Week, Finish Strong Week, Student Association Fall and Spring Red Cross Bloodmobiles, Haunted HALLoween, Casino Night, Fine Arts Month, Tree of Hope (NTSO) , and the Club and Organization Award Ceremony are campus traditions worth attending.