Contact:Phil Sklar – 414-519-2625 – phil.sklar@bobbleheadhall.com
Limited Editionbobbleheadcommemorating the Northwestern University Men’s BasketballTeam’s first NCAA Tournament appearance now available exclusively from the National Bobblehead HOF and Museum.
MILWAUKEE, Wi.,October 17, 2017 – – Today, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museumunveiled a Limited Edition bobblehead to commemorate the Northwestern University Men’s Basketball Team’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. The bobblehead features Northwestern mascot, Willie the Wildcat, on a newspaper style base that exclaims “Wildcats Punch Ticket to The Big Dance for the First Time Ever!”.
The bobbleheads, which are individually numbered to only 216, are only available in the National Bobblehead HOF and Museum’s Online Store. They are $40 each and are in stock now.
On March 12, 2017, the Northwestern Wildcats earned an at-large berth to the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, marking the first appearance in school history. After finishing the regular season with a school record 23 wins, the Wildcats were the No. 8 seed in the West Regional and were matched up against No. 9 seed Vanderbilt in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Wildcats won their March Madness debut, defeating Vanderbilt by a score of 68-66 in a thrilling game. In the Second Round, the Wildcats battled top-seeded Gonzaga until the end before falling 79-73 to the Bulldogs, who eventually lost in the NCAA Tournament title game.
Northwestern has been playing basketball since 1904, but had never made it to the NCAA Tournament, which began in 1939. The Wildcats entered the tournament coming off the best season in school history with a record of 23-11. Northwestern likely clinched a bid into the NCAA Tournament on March 1stat Welsh-Ryan Arena when Nathan Taphorn hurled a full-court pass with 1.7 sections left to Derek Pardon, whose buzzer-beating layup gave the Wildcats the victory over Michigan.
“We’re excited to be able to capture Northwestern’s epic season in bobblehead form for alumni, students, fans, faculty and staff to enjoy,” said Phil Sklar, Co-Founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. “As a proud Northwestern Alum (Kellogg ‘14) it was exciting to see the accomplishments of the 2016-2017 team and create a bobblehead to commemorate the historic season.”
The Wildcat nickname was born in 1924 when Chicago Tribune reporter Wallace Abbey described the football team as “wildcats” after a ferocious effort in a loss to the University of Chicago. The name stuck, and the first image of Willie was released by the athletic department in 1933. However, Willie wasn’t brought to life until 1947 when the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity created a hand-sewn costume that debuted at the Homecoming parade. Willie’s suit has evolved over the years, with the most recent version debuting at a football game in 2007.
This is the third Northwestern bobblehead produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum. A limited number of Willie the Wildcat football bobbleheads ($35) remain, while the biggest Northwestern fans can secure one of 12 three foot Willie the Wildcat bobbleheads, which are currently on sale for $650.
All three bobbleheads are officially licensed and were produced exclusively for the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum by Forever Collectibles.
About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum was announced in November 2014. The HOF and Museum hosted a Preview Exhibit at RedLine Milwaukee from January through April, 2016, and is currently planning for a permanent location. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for organizations, individuals and teams across the country. Visit us at www.BobbleheadHall.com, www.facebook.com/BobbleheadHallor www.twitter.com/BobbleheadHall.