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!
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