OKLAHOMA CITY — As the only team not yet in the Women’s College World Series, Mississippi State softball is hoping for more luck in broccoli.
Vegetables have become the Bulldogs’ playground after a fan named Broccoli Guy started dancing while holding them at the Eugene Regional. Mississippi State has embraced the fun trend and brought broccoli to its games, starting with the state finals.
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“We saw his potential, and I think he helped loosen up the team in the division,” MSU coach Samantha Ricketts said of Broccoli Guy. “… I think he really represents the way we run our business. Being true to ourselves and having fun.”
Mississippi State (43-20) is playing in its first Women’s College World Series and lost its first seed against Texas Tech 8-0 in a five-inning game.
The Bulldogs will face No. 2 seed Texas (47-12) on May 29 (6 pm CT, ESPN) at Devon Park in the elimination game.
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State players hold broccoli as they celebrate during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State players hold broccoli as they celebrate during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State celebrates with Jim Stewart Allen, the “Broccoli Guy” following Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Broccoli hangs in the Mississippi State dugout net following Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May, 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Jim Stewart Allen, “Broccoli Guy”, dances during Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May, 22, 2026. Mississippi State won 11-9.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State players hold broccoli as they celebrate during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Jim Stewart Allen, “Broccoli Guy”, dances during Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May, 22, 2026. Mississippi State won 11-9.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State players hold broccoli as they celebrate during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Jim Stewart Allen, “Broccoli Guy”, dances during Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May, 22, 2026. Mississippi State won 11-9.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State’s Sydney Carroll (31) enjoys broccoli during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
Mississippi State players hold broccoli as they celebrate during Game 3 of the NCAA softball Norman Super Regional between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla., May 24, 2026.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
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Mississippi State softball, Broccoli Guy’s connection to the NCAA Tournament in pictures
A Mississippi State player holds up Broccoli as she celebrates following Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. May, 22, 2026. Mississippi State won 11-9.
(SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN)
The NCAA made an exception, allowing broccoli at the WCWS
Throughout the NCAA Softball tournament, Mississippi State’s use of broccoli is limited to players in the dugout.
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However, that changed in the Women’s College World Series. Although outside food is on the list of items prohibited at Devon Park, the NCAA makes an exception for fans who bring broccoli.
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. He has been seen at games for the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Storm, Seattle Kraken, Seattle Sea Wolves and 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 against Saint Mary’s. The Bulldogs won 5-0 and advanced to the super regionals for only the second time.
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Allen also showed up to support Mississippi State at Oklahoma during the best 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 went 6-0 for the first time to advance to the Women’s College World Series.
Broccoli Guy GoFundMe
Charles Ammon, father of MSU pitcher Leila Ammon, started a GoFundMe to help cover and reimburse Allen’s travel expenses two weeks ago. Several MSU players and their parents donated. MSU coach Samantha Ricketts donated $500. As of May 27, the fundraisers had received 129 donations totaling $5,475, exceeding their $5,000 goal.
“We wanted to continue to make sure that you know that you are a big part of this journey of ours,” Ricketts said of the donations. “… He’s a special teacher back in the Pacific Northwest, and just knowing what he’s been growing 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.”
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2026 Women’s College World Series Schedule
All times CT
May 28
Game 1: Texas Tech 8, Mississippi State 0
Game 2: Tennessee 6, Texas 3
Game 3: Alabama 6, UCLA 3
Game 4: Nebraska 5, Arkansas 3
May 29
Game 5: Mississippi State vs. Texas Tech (6 p.m., ESPN2)
Game 6: UCLA vs. Arkansas (8:30 p.m., ESPN2)
May 30
Game 7: Texas Tech vs. Tennessee (2 p.m., ABC)
Game 8: Alabama vs. Nebraska (6 p.m., ESPN)
May 31st
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs Game 8 Loser (2pm, 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 (11am, 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, Game 3 final (7 p.m., ESPN)
Tia Reid covers the Jackson State games for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at treid@usatodayco.com then we follow him to X @tiareid65.
This article appeared in the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why does Mississippi State softball have broccoli in the dugout at the WCWS?
