Broccoli Craze Fuels Mississippi State’s Spirit at Women’s College World Series

Broccoli has somehow become the unlikely mascot for Mississippi State’s Women’s College World Series (WCWS) run. This whole quirky thing kicked off during the Eugene Regionals and, honestly, it’s snowballed into a full-blown rallying cry for the Bulldogs.

Fans and players have totally embraced the vegetable as a symbol of their Cinderella postseason. The story of how broccoli got tied to Mississippi State softball is both heartwarming and, well, a little hilarious.

From dancing with veggies to even broccoli-flavored ice cream, this oddball tradition has won over plenty of hearts. Let’s take a closer look at how this all happened.

The Birth of a Broccoli Phenomenon

It started at the Eugene Regionals when Jim Stewart Allen—people call him Broccoli Guy—showed up. Allen’s been going viral for a while, dancing with food in the stands since the 2020 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

He brought his veggie-themed energy to the softball field, choosing broccoli, which he likes to call nature’s pom-poms. That caught on fast with Mississippi State players and fans.

Jim Stewart Allen: The Man Behind the Broccoli

Allen only became a softball fan about three years ago. He’s a season-ticket holder for Washington’s softball team, but during the Eugene Regionals, he started rooting for Mississippi State.

His wild energy and goofy broccoli cheers just clicked with the Bulldogs. They took him in as their unofficial mascot.

Allen even traveled to Norman, Oklahoma, for the super regionals, where Mississippi State pulled off a huge upset against Oklahoma.

“Mississippi State really attached to my energy, and I attached to their energy,” Allen said. “It just kind of flowed throughout regionals. And sure enough, I went up to Norman, Okla., to see them in super regionals. They won that. I was like, I’ve got to follow them to Oklahoma City. So here I am, rooting for Mississippi State as a Pacific Northwesterner. It’s pretty magical. But that’s the magic of softball.”

Broccoli Takes Center Stage at the WCWS

When Mississippi State made it to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, the broccoli craze just got bigger. Players started using broccoli as pom-poms in the dugout.

Fans brought their own heads of broccoli to Devon Park to show support. The NCAA even made an exception to let people bring in outside food, just for this.

Broccoli-Flavored Ice Cream: A New Tradition

Maybe the wildest moment came during a game between Mississippi State and Texas Tech. ESPN cameras caught reporter Holly Rowe digging into broccoli-flavored ice cream.

That flavor would seem ridiculous anywhere else, but at this year’s WCWS, it almost felt normal. The whole scene just summed up the fun, slightly absurd spirit broccoli brought to the Bulldogs’ postseason.

The Impact on Team and Fans

Broccoli has turned into a real symbol of support for the team and its fans. Mississippi State freshman Ally Supan said Allen’s idea of using broccoli as pom-poms became a staple for the team.

“So, I took it and ran with it and now, it’s in my hand from the beginning of the game until the end of the game,” she said.

A Community United

This weird tradition has brought the Mississippi State community together in ways no one saw coming. Fans, players, and even people outside the school have jumped on board, sharing in the fun and the sense of belonging.

Seeing fans wave broccoli in the stands has become a kind of badge for the team’s grit and the crowd’s wild support.

The Road Ahead for Mississippi State

The Bulldogs did take a tough 8–0 loss to Texas Tech in the opening round of the double-elimination WCWS. But they’re not giving up.

They’ll face the loser of the No. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 Tennessee matchup on Friday night. With their season on the line, you can bet broccoli will be everywhere—and so will Jim Stewart Allen, still cheering on his adopted team.