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December 13, 2006 GRAVES,
HOEKSTRA PLACE FRIENDLY WAGER ON WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressmen Sam Graves and Pete Hoekstra (R-2nd-MI) will offer a personal stake in the effort by Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats football team to prevail in the rematch against Grand Valley State University Lakers for the 2006 NCAA Division II National Championship. “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.” The game is scheduled for noon EST on Saturday, December 16th at Braly Stadium in Florence, Alabama and will be carried live on ESPN2. GVSU beat NMSU 21-17 in the 2005 title game. Graves and Hoekstra have placed a friendly wager over the outcome of the game featuring products from their districts to help honor NMSU and GVSU 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. “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.” “I could really use more tulips for my garden, and that frozen turkey could come in handy for the holidays,” said Graves. “Go get ‘em, Bearcats.” Graves
has represented the University and the Maryville community since 1993
when he was elected the 4th District State Representative.
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