Gov. Culver’s NCAA Wager: Berkridge Pork

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DES MOINES – Gov. Chet Culver has made a friendly wager with Gov. Steve Beshear of Kentucky on the outcome of the Drake University Bulldogs’ Friday NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first-round game against the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers.

Gov. Culver, who received his Master of Arts in Teaching at Drake University, is wagering 40 pounds of premium Berkshire pork raised on family farms in northwest Iowa and provided by Berkridge Pork of Sioux Center.  Gov. Beshear’s wager is a Corvette windbreaker from Bowling Green, Kentucky, home of Western Kentucky University and the only assembly plant in the world where Chevrolet Corvettes are produced.

The Governor will also be cheering on the Drake women’s basketball team as they compete against Green Bay on Saturday in their ninth National Women’s Invitational Tournament bid.

“I have confidence in our Drake Bulldogs,” Gov. Culver said.  “I’m optimistic they’re going to come through with a big win over a very worthy opponent.  I look forward to presenting coach Keno Davis with a new windbreaker as a reminder of an incredible season and hopefully the beginning of a long and successful tournament run.” 

“My wife, Jane, and I are looking forward to a number of pork dinners in the near future,” said Gov. Beshear.  “We could not be more proud of our Hilltopper men and women’s teams – both making it to this year’s big dance!” 

Governor Culver said he chose the Berkridge Pork ham and loins as his wager because Berkridge Pork epitomizes what’s great about Iowa agriculture.  Their product is raised by hard-working family farmers and it is in demand around the world because of its outstanding taste and quality. When the National Pork Producers Council measured the traits of all breeds, Berkshires ranked first in six of seven categories for meat quality and tops in three of four categories for eating quality.

Drake’s men are making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1971. The Bulldogs (28-4) is seeded fifth in the West Region. Western Kentucky (27-6) is seeded 12th.  The two teams meet at 11:30 a.m. CDT Friday in Tampa, Florida.

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