MILWAUKEE – This morning, to celebrate National Bobblehead Day, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled limited-edition bobbleheads featuring three Milwaukee area individuals that all played a small part in the Milwaukee Bucks Championship run and who continue to be assets to the Milwaukee community. The first features DJ Shawna (Shawna Nicols), the Milwaukee Bucks’ official in-game DJ and producer who is considered one of the top open-format DJs in the country. The second features Ben Tajnai, who became a local celebrity and “good luck charm” with his stirring rendition of the national anthem at the Fiserv Forum during the Bucks’ title run. The third features Dan Roberts, the drink-chugging, shirt-ripping sensation who became a social media star for his antics during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum. All three bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
Each bobblehead is individually numbered to 2,021 and they are only available for pre-order through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads are $30 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. They are all in production now and expected to ship in May.
The smiling DJ Shawna bobblehead, standing behind two turntables and a mixer, is wearing a bandana with headphones around her neck. The front of her DJ table includes her name and “DARE TO BE” – her clothing line and movement which “have inspired people all over the globe to be their best selves and never stop reaching for the stars.” The front of the table also features the #DareToBe logo as does the front of her hoodie.
Ben Tajnai’s bobblehead, which plays a clip of Ben singing the National Anthem, features the bearded Tajnai singing into a microphone on a basketball court base bearing his name with an American flag backing. He is wearing an open black sport coat, which reveals a black shirt with No. 6 across the chest.
Standing on a circular base bearing his name with a half-dozen empty cups at his feet, Dan Roberts’ bobblehead features Roberts holding up six fingers and wearing the remnants of his torn shirt. In addition to the head, the bobblehead’s belly also bobbles.
Known for her infectious personality and high-energy mixes that keep crowds engaged and begging for more, DJ Shawna has been entertaining fans of the Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers and Marquette Golden Eagles among others for nearly a decade. A basketball standout herself, Nicols won three state championships in high school at Milwaukee Pius XI and was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. She went on to play at the University of Wisconsin and later played professionally in the Netherlands. Once her playing days came to an end, she found a new passion in the DJ booth thanks to mentor “DJ Rock Dee” in Milwaukee. In addition to being a vital part of the Bucks’ NBA title, one of her highlights of the 2021 season was being invited to perform during All-Star weekend in Atlanta. DJ Shawna is the author of the children’s book, “Adventures of Bob in Downtown Milwaukee” with all proceeds going to support chronic homelessness in Milwaukee. She was also a Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 inductee in 2021.
Ben Tajnai, an Oconomowoc resident, found himself in the national spotlight when millions of viewers watched him perform the national anthem during the NBA Finals. En route to Milwaukee’s first title in 50 years, Tajnai sang the anthem at every home game and the Bucks posted a 10-1 record in those contests. The “good luck charm” also performed the anthem in the Deer District during road games. A lifelong Bucks fan, Tajnai put the capper on the team’s parade celebration two days after winning the title when he sang “We Are the Champions” to the thousands of fans gathered in the Deer District. He holds the distinction of singing the anthem at the first-ever game at Fiserv Forum and the first-ever playoff game. When he isn’t performing at the home arena of the 2021 NBA champions, the married father of three works as a vocal teacher at Hartland Music in Waukesha County. A graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, Tajnai, who is proficient in many vocal styles, has also performed with the Lake Country Playhouse, Greendale Community Theater, Skylight Music Theatre and Waukesha Civic Theater among other. He also provided backing vocals for the Rolling Stones at the United Center during their 50th Anniversary Tour.
In the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum, the 6-foot-9, 450-pound Roberts was put on the Jumbotron during a timeout while the Bucks were enjoying a double-digit lead. Taking advantage of the camera time, Roberts slammed a mixed drink, ripped his shirt Hulk Hogan-style and held up six fingers to signal “Bucks in 6” much to the delight of the sold-out crowd as it began to chant “Bucks in 6!” The 33-year-old Roberts instantly became a social media sensation. In addition to the Bucks posting the playoff moment to remember on their social media, House of Highlights posted the video to YouTube. With his newfound celebrity status which included taking countless photos with Bucks fans, Roberts had an encore performance during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns as he chugged his beer and ripped another shirt as the Bucks pulled out a close victory.
“As the Bucks captured their first championship in 50 years, no one fired up the fans at Fiserv Forum more than DJ Shawna,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “The entertainment provided by the Milwaukee native helps give the Bucks a true homecourt advantage. This bobblehead is a must-have for Bucks fans everywhere!’”
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.
