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OKLAHOMA CITY — As the only unseeded team in the Women's College World Series, Mississippi State softball is hoping to gain some extra luck from broccoli.
The vegetable has become the Bulldogs' rally prop after a fan named Broccoli Guy started dancing while holding it at the Eugene Regional. Mississippi State embraced the fun trend and has brought broccoli to hold in the dugout for its games, beginning with the regional final.
"We saw his energy, and I think he helped loosen the team up at the regional," MSU coach Samantha Ricketts said of Broccoli Guy. "... I think he really represents the way that we go about our business. It's just being true to ourselves and having fun."
Mississippi State (43-19) is playing in its first Women's College World Series and will take on No. 11 seed Texas Tech (57-7) in its opening Game on May 28 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park.
Broccoli Guy's real name is Jim Stewart Allen. He's a sports fan from Washington who brings broccoli to games and dances in the stands. He's been spotted at games for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Storm, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Sea Wolves and the Washington Huskies.
Broccoli Guy started cheering for Mississippi State during the Eugene Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs brought broccoli to use as a good luck charm for their regional final game against Saint Mary's. The Bulldogs won 5-0 and advanced to the super regionals for just the second time.
Allen showed up again to support Mississippi State at Oklahoma during the super regionals. Before Game 3 against the Sooners, the Bulldogs posted pictures and videos of broccoli on social media, hoping it would bring them more luck. MSU won 6-0 to qualify for the Women's College World Series for the first time.
Charles Ammon, the father of MSU pitcher Leila Ammon, started a GoFundMe to help cover and reimburse Allen's travel expenses over the last two weeks. Several MSU players and their parents have donated. MSU coach Samantha Ricketts donated $500. As of May 27, the fundraiser had received 129 donations totaling $5,475, surpassing its goal of $5,000.
"We wanted to continue to make sure he knew he was a big part of this journey for us," Ricketts said of the donations. "... He's a special ed teacher back in the Pacific Northwest, and just knowing what he was investing and giving up to be here, we wanted to do our part to help continue the run and get him into Devon Park this weekend."
Yes, fans will be allowed to bring broccoli. Typically, outside food is not permitted, according to the WCWS' list of prohibited items. However, the NCAA is making an exception for broccoli with the emergence of the Bulldogs' use of the vegetable as a prop for good luck.
All times CT
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Mississippi State softball has broccoli in dugout at WCWS
Continue reading...
The vegetable has become the Bulldogs' rally prop after a fan named Broccoli Guy started dancing while holding it at the Eugene Regional. Mississippi State embraced the fun trend and has brought broccoli to hold in the dugout for its games, beginning with the regional final.
"We saw his energy, and I think he helped loosen the team up at the regional," MSU coach Samantha Ricketts said of Broccoli Guy. "... I think he really represents the way that we go about our business. It's just being true to ourselves and having fun."
Mississippi State (43-19) is playing in its first Women's College World Series and will take on No. 11 seed Texas Tech (57-7) in its opening Game on May 28 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park.
Who is Broccoli Guy?
Broccoli Guy's real name is Jim Stewart Allen. He's a sports fan from Washington who brings broccoli to games and dances in the stands. He's been spotted at games for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Storm, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Sea Wolves and the Washington Huskies.
Why is Broccoli Guy a Mississippi State softball fan?
Broccoli Guy started cheering for Mississippi State during the Eugene Regional of the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs brought broccoli to use as a good luck charm for their regional final game against Saint Mary's. The Bulldogs won 5-0 and advanced to the super regionals for just the second time.
Allen showed up again to support Mississippi State at Oklahoma during the super regionals. Before Game 3 against the Sooners, the Bulldogs posted pictures and videos of broccoli on social media, hoping it would bring them more luck. MSU won 6-0 to qualify for the Women's College World Series for the first time.
Broccoli Guy GoFundMe
Charles Ammon, the father of MSU pitcher Leila Ammon, started a GoFundMe to help cover and reimburse Allen's travel expenses over the last two weeks. Several MSU players and their parents have donated. MSU coach Samantha Ricketts donated $500. As of May 27, the fundraiser had received 129 donations totaling $5,475, surpassing its goal of $5,000.
"We wanted to continue to make sure he knew he was a big part of this journey for us," Ricketts said of the donations. "... He's a special ed teacher back in the Pacific Northwest, and just knowing what he was investing and giving up to be here, we wanted to do our part to help continue the run and get him into Devon Park this weekend."
Can Mississippi State fans bring broccoli to the WCWS?
Yes, fans will be allowed to bring broccoli. Typically, outside food is not permitted, according to the WCWS' list of prohibited items. However, the NCAA is making an exception for broccoli with the emergence of the Bulldogs' use of the vegetable as a prop for good luck.
2026 Women's College World Series schedule
All times CT
- May 28
- Game 1: Mississippi State vs Texas Tech (11 a.m., ESPN)
- Game 2: Tennessee vs Texas (1:30 p.m., ESPN)
- Game 3: UCLA vs Alabama (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 4: Arkansas vs Nebraska (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
- May 29
- Game 5: Game 1 loser vs Game 2 loser (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 6: Game 3 loser vs Game 4 loser (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
- May 30
- Game 7: Game 1 winner vs Game 2 winner (2 p.m., ABC)
- Game 8: Game 3 winner vs Game 4 winner (6 p.m., ESPN)
- May 31
- Game 9: Game 5 winner vs Game 8 loser (2 p.m., ABC)
- Game 10: Game 6 winner vs Game 7 loser (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- June 1
- Game 11: Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (11 a.m., ESPN)
- Game 12 (if necessary): Game 7 winner vs Game 9 winner (1:30 p.m., ESPN)
- Game 13: Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (6 p.m., ESPN2)
- Game 14 (if necessary): Game 8 winner vs Game 10 winner (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
- June 3
- Finals Game 1 (7 p.m., ESPN)
- June 4
- Finals Game 2 (7 p.m., ESPN)
- June 5
- If necessary, finals Game 3 (7 p.m., ESPN)
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Mississippi State softball has broccoli in dugout at WCWS
Continue reading...
