RALEIGH, NC — Tonight, the North Carolina Tar Heels will square off against the Gonzaga Bulldogs for the men’s college basketball national championship, and the governors of each team’s state have chosen to get in on the action.
The governor’s of North Carolina and Washington entered a friendly wager Monday to highlight the event. Governor Roy Cooper announced that he will send some NC delicacies, including barbecue pork from Sam Jones BBQ in Winterville, Cheerwine from Salisbury, and some North Carolina sweet potato products if the Bulldogs pull off a win.
In return, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington said he will send some of his state’s delicacies, which will include Washington-roasted coffee, smoked salmon, a variety of Washington apples, and locally made chocolates if the Tar Heels win.
Both governors issued statements on their team’s trip to the big dance tonight:
“We couldn’t ask for better representatives of our great state than Coach Williams and his team. It’s been a long road back to the championship, but this group’s persistence and hard work have made their university and state proud. Tonight, as a great Tar Heel said, ‘the ceiling is the roof’ – Go Heels!” -Governor Cooper.
“The Gonzaga Bulldogs are ready to bring the championship trophy home to the Kennel in Spokane. Coach Few and this year’s team made history not just for Gonzaga, but the entire Evergreen State. Fear the beard, and Go Zags!” -Governor Inslee.
The governor’s say the winnings will be donated to local food banks in the recipient’s state.
North Carolina winnings will be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and Washington winnings will be donated to the Olympia’s Thurston County Food Bank
