MILWAUKEE – Thursday, November 24, 2023, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled an officially licensed, limited-edition bobblehead commemorating the North Carolina Tar Heels’ 2023 Women’s Field Hockey Division I National Championship. The bobblehead features Rameses, the mascot of the Tar Heels, holding a field hockey stick and standing on the official 2023 Field Hockey National Championship logo. The special edition bobblehead, which is the first Field Hockey National Championship Bobblehead, is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of North Carolina.
Proudly wearing the school colors and holding a field hockey stick, the Rameses bobblehead is giving the No. 1 sign on a base featuring the official 2023 North Carolina Field Hockey National Champions logo. Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,023 and they are available exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in March, are $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.
The top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team captured the 11th national title in program history, and the fifth in the last six years, with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Northwestern in a penalty shootout in the championship of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, November 19th at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. With the victory, first-year UNC head coach Erin Matson became the youngest college head coach to win a national championship. In her five years as a player, the 23-year-old won four national titles. “I don’t know how to put it into words,” Matson said. “I don’t know what more you’d want in a national championship matchup than tied at the end of regulation, two overtimes, sudden death shootout – just a phenomenal atmosphere.”
Sophomore Ryleigh Heck tallied the game-winner in sudden death for the Tar Heels after the teams both went 2-for-5 in the shootout. Prior to Heck’s winning shot, UNC goalkeeper Maddie Kahn turned away Northwestern’s first attempt, setting the stage for Heck. Kahn was named the Most Outstanding Player and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Heck, freshman Charly Bruder, who scored UNC’s first goal in the third quarter, and senior Katie Dixon. Attendance for the championship match was announced at 3,200, the largest crowd in UNC program history. The Tar Heels finished the season with an 18-3 record.
The Tar Heels Field Hockey team has made national headlines with the team being led to a National Championship by 23-year-old first-year head coach Erin Matson, who was hired in January just weeks after finishing her UNC playing career. She is believed to be the youngest Division I coach in the NCAA and is the most decorated player in the program’s history. She’s a four-time National Champion and the leading scorer in ACC history and NCAA Tournament play.
“The Tar Heels field hockey team made national headlines with their remarkable story and capped it off with a thrilling win in the National Championship game,” 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 this bobblehead will be the perfect way for fans of the Tar Heels to commemorate this very special UNC field hockey team’s title.”
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.