WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, will offer a personal stake in the effort by the Grand Valley State University Lakers football team to prevail in the rematch against the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats for the 2006 NCAA Division II National Championship.
"The undefeated campaign by the student athletes of GVSU to reach their fifth national championship football game reflects well on the dedication and hard work on which West Michigan prides itself," Hoekstra said. "It is inspiring to see them again display their skill before a nationwide audience, and I personally look forward to the spoils provided by my colleague from Missouri Sam Graves upon their success."
The game is scheduled for noon EST on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Braly Stadium in Florence, Ala. and will be carried live on ESPN2. GVSU beat NMSU 21-17 in the 2005 title game.
Hoekstra and U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Missouri, have placed a friendly wager over the outcome of the game featuring products from their districts to help honor GVSU and NMSU for their successful runs at the championship.
Hoekstra has offered a basket of West Michigan specialty crops and
products should the NMSU Bearcats win that will include pickled
asparagus, wooden shoes, Dutch black licorice, dried cherries, tulip
bulbs, apple juice, blueberries, a frozen turkey and a GVSU sweatshirt.
Should Grand Valley regain the national title, Graves has offered a
basket of Northwest Missouri goods to Hoekstra, including Kansas
City's famous Jack Stacks Barbeque sauce and rub, a large bag of
Cherry Mash candies, Energizer batteries, a Northwest Missouri State
University ball cap and t-shirt, and an autographed and framed
photograph of Bobby the Bearcat.
"I'm excited for the Bearcats and all of Northwest Missouri," said Graves. "This has been a historic run to the playoffs and I hope there is enough magic left in Florence to bring the championship back to Maryville."
