First Kent Pavelka Nebraska Cornhuskers Talking Bobblehead Featuring Longtime Radio Announcer Unveiled

This morning, in celebration of the Nebraska men’s basketball team reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the first Kent Pavelka Bobblehead which honors the longtime radio voice of Nebraska Cornhuskers basketball. The officially licensed talking bobblehead, which will feature several of Kent’s catch-phrases, is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

• The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in September, are now available at this link.
• Each bobblehead will be individually numbered.
• The bobbleheads are $35 each plus an $8 flat-rate shipping charge per order.
• Wearing a headset and dressed in a red sweater with his signature bow-tie, the smiling Kent Pavelka bobblehead is sitting at a courtside table bearing his name at the bottom of the base with Nebraska’s logo on the front.
• On Saturday, March 21st, the fourth-seeded Cornhuskers knocked off fifth-seeded Vanderbilt, 74-72, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Braden Frager made a driving layup with 2.2 seconds left to put Nebraska in front, and Tyler Tanner’s heave from beyond half-court rimmed out at the buzzer.
• “Oh my God, it’s no good!” a joyful Pavelka announced on his radio call. “Oh my God! In and out at the buzzer! Nebraska to the Sweet 16! It’s a miracle finish for Nebraska! And it was destined to happen! It was destined to happen! Nebraska is going to the Sweet 16! A half-court miss by Tanner, and it was halfway, three-quarters of the way down! It popped out! I have never broadcast a game like this in my lifetime, and I’ve done this since 1974. Listen to Nebraska’s crowd! … Holy cow! Holy cowabunga!”
• On Thursday, March 19th, Pavelka called Nebraska’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win – a 76-47 victory over Troy in the first round. The Paycom Center in Oklahoma City was filled with boisterous red-clad fans who chanted “Husker Power!” and “Go Big Red!” while standing nearly from start to finish. Shortly after the final buzzer, several players ran over to celebrate with the 76-year-old Pavelka, who started calling Nebraska basketball games in 1974. Previously, Nebraska’s men’s basketball program was 0-8 in NCAA Tournament play.
• “I put my heart into this and they know that,” Pavelka said. “So, it’s nice to know that they appreciate that.” The six-time Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year is known for his distinctive style and catchphrases like “Bang-a-rang” and “Got it!”
• With Pavelka seated courtside, the Cornhuskers (28-6) will play Big Ten rival Iowa (23-12) in the Sweet 16 on Thursday, March 26th, at the Toyota Center in Houston.
• Pavelka grew up in Lincoln, where childhood Saturdays spent listening to Husker football on the radio inspired him to pursue broadcasting rather than playing. After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a journalism degree in broadcasting, he began his professional career at KHUB in Fremont before joining Omaha’s KFAB in 1974, where he started doing color commentary for Husker football and play-by-play for men’s basketball.
• When asked about the being honored with a bobblehead, Kent said, “To have my first bobblehead come during a season like this — Nebraska’s first NCAA Tournament win, a trip to the Sweet 16 — it’s almost too perfect. I’m humbled and grateful to Husker Nation for making this career the ride of a lifetime and for the Bobblehead Hall of Fame for honoring me with a bobblehead.”
• “We’re excited to unveil the first bobblehead of popular Nebraska radio announcer Kent Pavelka, who has been calling Husker games since 1974,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “With Nebraska advancing to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history, Kent’s game-winning call is the perfect example of what March Madness is all about. This bobblehead will be a must-have for Husker fans everywhere!”
• The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country.