The partnership between NIU and the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum continues with the release of a limited number of bobbleheads featuring Mission I, NIU’s former mascot.

The museum unveiled the Mission I bobblehead Friday as one of many new bobbleheads released ahead of National Bobblehead Day, which is celebrated annually on Jan. 7.

The Mission I bobbleheads are available for purchase on the museum’s online store and through the NIU Alumni Association. Each bobblehead will cost $30 plus $8 shipping. Each of the 2,022 Mission I bobbleheads in existence are individually numbered.

Phil Sklar, co-founder and CEO of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, said he expects that the bobbleheads will be in high demand among the NIU community.

“We’re excited to be releasing this new bobblehead featuring Mission I in conjunction with National Bobblehead Day,” Sklar said. “We think these will be very popular bobbleheads for NIU alumni, fans, students, faculty, and staff everywhere.”

The Mission I bobblehead follows the August 2022 release of bobbleheads featuring Mission II, NIU’s current live mascot.  A limited number of the Mission II bobbleheads remain available at the museum and the Alumni Association.

Mission I, a purebred Siberian Husky, served as NIU’s live mascot for roughly eight years after starting in late November 2013. He retired in September 2021 and was succeeded by Mission II.

For more information, visit the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s website here.