------------SGA Goldy Gopher Bobbleheads--------------

The initial section of this bobblehead discussion details the Stadium Giveaway (SGA) Goldy Gophers Bobbleheads.  During the early 2000's, the University of Minnesota worked with sponsors to give Goldy Gopher Bobbleheads to fans attending selected sporting events.  The Minnesota Twins had experienced fantastic success with their bobblehead promotions and the University decided to join the trend.  During this time the University presented Goldy Gopher Bobbleheads representing seven sports with baseball being done twice.  Someday soon I hope the marketing team at the U restarts the bobblehead promotions with some additional sports.

Goldy Gopher Hormel Classic Baseball SGA Bobblehead

The initial SGA Goldy Gopher Bobblehead was given to the first 9,000 fans attending the second day of the University of Minnesota Hormel Classic round-robin tournament.  The promotion was sponsored by Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods. The college baseball tournament matched Minnesota with Miami, San Diego State and Arkansas.  The Hormel Classic was held March 2nd through the 4th, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.  Miami was ranked #4 in the NCAA at the time of the tournament and was the eventual 2001 Hormel Classic champion.

This Goldy Gopher bobblehead is a Bobble Dobbles brand produced by Alexander Global Promotions (AGP).

Goldy Gopher Football SGA Bobblehead

The second SGA Goldy Gopher Bobblehead was the football version.  It was the first of five Goldy bobbleheads sponsored by Rainbow Foods, a Minnesota grocery chain.  Ten thousand of the bobbleheads were given to fans attending the Minnesota - Ohio State football game on November 3, 2001 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.  Rather than presenting the bobbleheads to the first 10,000 fans, the bobbleheads were awarded by lottery. As fans entered the gates they were handed a colored card randomly chosen from various colors.  During the game a single color was announced and fans holding that colored card were able to claim a bobblehead. Fans lucky enough to receive a bobblehead went home happy even though Minnesota lost the football game 31 to 28.

In addition to the 10,000 bobbleheads given to football fans, Rainbow foods had an additional 5,000 made which were sold in their grocery stores.

The football version Goldy bobblehead, like the Hormel Classic Baseball Goldy, is a AGP Bobble Dobbles bobblehead.

Goldy Gopher Hockey SGA Bobblehead

The third SGA Goldy Gopher Bobblehead was the hockey version.  It was the second of five Goldy bobbleheads sponsored by Rainbow Foods.  Ten thousand of the bobbleheads were given to fans attending the Minnesota - Minnesota State hockey game on November 9, 2001 at Mariucci Arena.  All Gopher fans went home happy as the Gophers defeated the Mavericks 5 to 3 and since there were 9804 fans in attendance everyone went home with a bobblehead.

In addition to the 10,000 bobbleheads given to hockey fans, Rainbow foods had an additional 5,000 made which were sold in their grocery stores.

The hockey version Goldy bobblehead is a AGP Bobble Dobbles bobblehead.

The Hockey Gophers went on to win the NCAA national title that season. 

Goldy Gopher Basketball SGA Bobblhead

The fourth SGA Goldy Gopher Bobblehead was the basketball version.  It was the third of five Goldy bobbleheads sponsored by Rainbow Foods.  Bobbleheads were given to the first 10,000 fans attending the Minnesota - Minnesota Duluth exhibition basketball game on November 12, 2001 at Williams Arena. The Gophers won the first basketball contest between the two schools 67 to 59.

In addition to the 10,000 bobbleheads given to basketball fans, Rainbow Foods had an additional 5,000 made which were sold in their grocery stores.

The basketball version Goldy bobblehead is a AGP Bobble Dobbles bobblehead.

Goldy Gopher Wrestling SGA Bobblehead

In what was billed as Border Brawl I, the Minnesota wrestling team battled Iowa on February 1, 2002 at the Target Center.  At the time of the dual match, Minnesota was ranked number 1 in the NCAA and Iowa was ranked number 2.  With the strength of the competition, Minnesota encouraged fans to attend the match with the hopes of breaking the then NCAA wrestling attendance record of 15,291.  In an attempt to increase interest and attendance, Minnesota's then Governor Jesse Ventura was at the match to award the winning team the Governor's Belt.

It was certainly the wrestling event to hand out 10,000 Goldy Gopher Wrestler Bobbleheads.  The wrestler bobblehead was the fifth SGA Goldy Gopher and the fourth to be sponsored by Rainbow Food.  Because of the anticipated attendance, the 10,000 bobbleheads were awarded to fans through a lottery.  The lottery was a fortunate choice as 15,646 fans attended the match, setting a new NCAA Wrestling attendance record.

Minnesota maintained its number one ranking by defeating Iowa 22 to 15.  Who hates Iowa?

In addition to the 10,000 bobbleheads presented to wrestling fans, Rainbow Foods had an additional 5,000 of the AGP Bobble Dobbles Bobbleheads produced to sell in their grocery stores.

The Gopher Wrestling team finished unbeaten in dual matches that season and went on to win the NCAA Championship.  Along with hockey, this means that two of the five teams giving out Goldy Bobbleheads in the 2001-2002 season won the NCAA national championship.  Definitely time to produce more Goldy Gopher SGA Bobbleheads!

Goldy Gopher Baseball (Rainbow) SGA Bobblehead

The sixth SGA Goldy Gopher Bobblehead and the fifth and final bobblehead sponsored by Rainbow Foods was a baseball version.  Ten thousand of the bobbleheads were given to fans attending a Minnesota baseball game in 2002.

In addition to the 10,000 bobbleheads given to baseball fans, Rainbow foods had an additional 5,000 made which were sold in their grocery stores.

The Rainbow Food Goldy Gopher baseball bobblehead was provided by PPI.