Mississippi
How Broccoli Guy joined Mississippi State’s magical ride to WCWS and is ready for more
Jim Stewart Allen, also known as Broccoli Guy, is still trying to wrap his head around the last two weeks.
What started as a short trip from his home state of Washington to support Oregon in the Eugene Regional of the NCAA softball Tournament has turned into a trip to the Women’s College World Series as Mississippi State softball’s unofficial mascot.
“I’ve dreamed about going to a softball World Series,” Allen told the Clarion Ledger. “I didn’t know when it was going to happen. And so, to be able to finally go is one thing, but to be able to go with such a meaningful connection with one of the teams, with Mississippi State, it just means the world to me.”
Allen plans to be in Oklahoma City for every step of the Bulldogs’ WCWS journey, beginning with their opening game against No. 11 seed Texas Tech (57-7) on May 28 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park. It will be the first WCWS game in MSU (43-19) program history.
Broccoli Guy surprised Mississippi State at super regionals
Allen has brought broccoli to games for nearly every Seattle professional sports team. It’s about more than just being a fun way to support the teams. It’s also about maintaining a fun environment and encouraging unity.
After watching Mississippi State use broccoli as a rally prop in its regional final win, Allen knew he had to travel to Oklahoma for super regionals. He surprised the Bulldogs in Norman and saw them hand Oklahoma its first super regional loss since 2015.
“It was very exciting,” Allen said of watching Game 1, which Mississippi State won 11-9. “It was just very clear during that whole game that Mississippi State came to play. They had the energy and they had the hunger.”
All weekend, Allen got to see firsthand how much his presence was appreciated by supporting and opposing fans alike.
“The environment was incredible,” Allen said. “I was nervous about how I would be received by Oklahoma fans. … I didn’t really know what to expect, but I got so much love from Oklahoma fans.”
Anytime they needed a boost, the Bulldogs held broccoli in the dugout for good luck. After losing Game 2, MSU leaned on broccoli to power past the Sooners in Game 3, posting pregame pictures and videos highlighting the vegetable.
Allen didn’t need to see the overflow of broccoli content to know that MSU had what it took.
“I woke up that morning on Sunday thinking, ‘I’m going to have to stay here probably because they’re going to win this game,’” Allen said. “… And then I saw pictures on Instagram of … someone holding a bag of broccoli on the bus and I went, ‘Yeah, I’m staying in Oklahoma.’”
What Mississippi State softball means to Broccoli Guy
As the Bulldogs secured the final out in Game 3, the ESPN broadcast showed Allen in the stands with tears in his eyes.
He joked that this was a result of the exhaustion of dancing in the hot sun and his tired acceptance of a trip to the WCWS. In reality, it was an outpouring of joy for the team he’d come to love.
“That’s just been two weeks of following this team at a pretty intense level, game by game, seeing them work” Allen said. “… I think right after that, the team ran over to me, and we had our own moment, which is so, so humbling.”
For as much as Allen enjoys watching the Bulldogs play, the players enjoy having him in the stands. Infielder Nadia Barbary said seeing him dancing during the games helps them remember to have fun and stay loose in tough moments.
This relaxed style of play is what helped them get past Oklahoma. The Bulldogs even thanked Allen for his contributions by letting him hold their super regional trophy.
“It’s just been great,” pitcher Alyssa Faircloth said. “He’s such a sweet guy, so just the fact that we can bring him along and celebrate him with our broccoli in our dugout and just make him feel a little bit special has been great.”
The wider MSU community has also embraced Allen. Leila Ammon’s dad, Charles, started a GoFundMe to help cover Allen’s WCWS travel expenses. It had received $4,165 in donations as of May 26.
Unsurprisingly, Allen believes the Bulldogs have a good shot to win the title, noting it would be a fantastic finish to his and their journey.
“For them to even get this far is just incredible,” Allen said. “… Mississippi State is representing what it means to be a hungry, energetic softball underdog and they’re doing it so well. … Anything they do, I’m going to be super proud of, and I’m not surprised if they win it all.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
Mississippi
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NEWTON, Miss. (WTOK) – Friends, family, and comrades braved stormy conditions this morning, for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
While the crowd wasn’t large, the message was clear.
All gave some, some gave all, and today is the day to recognize those who have done just that.
“We didn’t have a large crowd compared to previous years. We anticipated that, but those who showed up, we wanted to make sure that we did what we could to honor America’s best. You know, when you talk about the weather and how it can affect people getting out, we understand that, but at the Mississippi VA, we also understand those folks that made the ultimate sacrifice didn’t have the luxury of sunny days every day,” said Ray Coleman with Mississippi Veterans Affairs.
“They did what they had to do, gave up their lives in the name of freedom, and so on Memorial Day, we honor that. No matter the weather, rain, sleet, hail, we’re going to be here to make sure that those family members and the fallen understand that we respect them, we honor them, and we appreciate what they did for our great nation.”
Over 12 hundred American heroes rest in the cemetery, each one of them remembered today by family, comrades, and those who came to show their respect.
“I think it’s important for us to remember that this day is not a day of recreation, but a day of somber reflection where we come together and remember that our freedoms are not free. I’m proud to be an American, and it’s been great to celebrate with everyone here today in Newton,” said Justice Jenifer Branning with the Mississippi Supreme Court.
“While you are barbecuing and grilling and while you are hanging out with one another, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Remember those family members who lost their loved ones. This holiday is a solemn one for them. So while you’re celebrating, take a moment, as Justice Branning said, to slow down and honor those who made that ultimate sacrifice, and remember their families. You might know some personally, believe it or not, that lives in your community. Remember to honor them as well on this very special day,” said Coleman.
Copyright 2026 WTOK. All rights reserved.
Samantha Ricketts credits Mississippi State’s ‘grit’ for rally vs OU softball in Game 1
OU softball alum and Mississippi State coach Samantha Ricketts talks about the Bulldogs’ 11-9 comeback win Friday in Game 1 of the NCAA Norman Super Regional.
Mississippi State softball’s NCAA Tournament super regional against Oklahoma was a David vs. Goliath scenario.
The Bulldogs were on the hunt for their first Women’s College World Series appearance. The No. 3 Sooners were looking for their 10th straight.
Few expected Mississippi State (43-19) to even win a game in the best-of-three series, let alone eliminate Oklahoma (52-10) from the tournament on its home field.
But that’s exactly what happened when the Bulldogs beat the Sooners 6-0 in Game 3 at Love’s Field on May 24, advancing to the WCWS for the first time.
They’ll face No. 11 seed Texas Tech (57-7) on May 28 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN) at Devon Park in Oklahoma City in the first round of the double-elimination tournament.
“An underdog is still a frickin dog,” pitcher Delainey Everett said in a TV interview after pitching a three-hit shutout. “We knew it. We were on the bus. Oh my gosh. Everything that we worked for came through today and we ain’t done yet.”
By encouraging her team to lean into the underdog mentality, coach Samantha Ricketts created an environment in which MSU could play “loose (and) free” in the game that could have been its final one of the season.
“A big message today was just staying present in the moment and understanding that this is a situation that it’s not life or death,” Ricketts said. “At the end of the day, it’s softball, and we’re going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got and have fun.”
This messaging helped to keep the players settled even when the crowd’s cheers grew in volume in support of the Sooners.
After losing 7-1 in Game 2, Mississippi State recorded nine hits, including two home runs, in Game 3 and struck out just once. The Bulldogs scored their first run in the first inning and never let up offensively.
“We definitely embraced it,” said Kinley Keller, who had two hits and three RBIs. “And I think just staying grounded is a big thing for us, and we knew we were going to punch them first and just play what we know we can play.”
For MSU and Ricketts, it didn’t matter that most of the crowd and the fans at home were not expecting them to knock off the eight-time national champions. All they needed was each other.
“Just so proud of this group,” Ricketts said. “When nobody believed in us, they believed in themselves and in each other. It was the 25 in the dugout and the parents over in the stands.”
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.
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