UMass Amherst, University of Washington Dining Services Announce Super Bowl Wager Featuring Regional Gift Baskets, Jerseys
In celebration of the Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, UMass Dining Services at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and University of Washington Housing & Food Services have announced a friendly intercollegiate wager centered on regional food culture and campus pride.
The two institutions agreed to mark the occasion with a curated regional gift basket exchange, showcasing iconic foods from New England and the Pacific Northwest.
If the Patriots win, University of Washington Dining will send UMass Dining a Pacific Northwest–inspired gift basket featuring UW’s proprietary Husky Grind coffee, along with well-known Seattle specialties such as Chukar Cherries, Beecher’s cheese crackers, and/or a Pike Place Market seafood box with local salmon and Dungeness crab.
If the Seahawks win, UMass Dining Services will send University of Washington Dining a New England–inspired gift basket featuring Massachusetts/New England seafood, Boston Cream Pie, maple syrup, local honey, artisan jams, cranberry chutney, and select New England cheeses.
To add a personal and lighthearted touch, both dining leaders have also agreed to a jersey wager: Ken Toong, assistant vice chancellor of Auxiliary Enterprises at UMass Amherst, will wear a Seattle Seahawks jersey if Seattle wins; while Robert Bickham, director of UW Dining, will wear a New England Patriots jersey if New England takes the title.
“This wager is a fun way to connect our teams and highlight the food traditions that define our regions. I look forward to share the winning treats with students. Go Pats!” said Toong.
Bickham added, “It’s an easy, authentic way to celebrate the game while sharing a taste of our campuses with one another.”
The friendly exchange reflects a shared commitment to hospitality, creativity and collaboration between two nationally recognized campus dining programs—regardless of which team comes out on top.