Harding Bisons 2023 Football National Championship Bobblehead Unveiled

MILWAUKEE – This morning, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a pair of officially licensed, limited-edition bobbleheads commemorating Harding University’s 2023 Football National Championship. The bobblehead features Buff the Bison, the mascot of the Harding Bisons, with the official 2023 Division II Football National Championship logo. The special edition bobblehead is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of Harding University.

Proudly wearing the school colors and holding a football with the championship logo, the Buff the Bison bobblehead is giving the No. 1 sign on a base featuring the Harding and championship logos. The bobblehead is available in Harding’s white jersey worn during the championship game and Harding’s black jersey. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,024 and they are available exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store and the Harding University Bookstore. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in July, are $40 each or $75 for the set of two plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.

On Saturday, December 16th, the third-ranked Harding Bisons won their first national title in football with a dominating 38-7 victory over top-ranked Colorado School of Mines in the NCAA Division II National Championship at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. It was the 19th victory in a row for Harding, which was playing in the school’s first national championship game in any sport since joining the NCAA in 1997. Colorado School of Mines (14-1) was appearing in the championship game for the second year in a row. After the Orediggers scored the first touchdown of the game, Harding scored 38 unanswered points and coasted to victory. “It’s unbelievable. It’s unbelievable,” Harding coach Paul Simmons said on ESPNU after the game. “It’s 100 percent guys that love each other, that believe in the brotherhood, that care deeply, that put themselves behind the needs of everybody else, and just try to honor God.”

After claiming its third outright Great American Conference championship, Harding (15-0) advanced to the Division II title game with playoff victories over Central Missouri (35-34), Grand Valley State (7-6), and Lenoir-Rhyne (55-14). In the victory over Mines, the Bisons rushed for 502 yards as they became the first team in NCAA history to top 6,000 rushing yards in a season. Junior Blake Delacruz led the flexbone offense with 208 yards on 26 carries. Sophomore Braden Jay added 161 yards and three touchdowns, while sophomore quarterback Cole Keylon and junior Jhalen Spicer rushed for one TD apiece.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Harding to offer fans the first Harding Bisons bobbleheads which celebrate the football team’s undefeated season and national championship,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Bobbleheads are the ultimate way to celebrate a team’s championship, and these bobbleheads will be the ultimate way for fans of the Bisons to commemorate the Harding football team’s first National Championship.”

About the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum:
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. Visit us online and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Harding University
Harding University is a private Christian, liberal arts university located in Searcy, Arkansas. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and celebrating its centennial year, it is the largest private university in the state. Harding’s student body represents students from across the U.S. and more than 50 nations and territories. The University offers more than 110 undergraduate majors; 14 preprofessional programs; more than 40 graduate and professional programs; as well as numerous study abroad opportunities including locations in Australasia, Peru, Europe, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information, visit Harding.edu.