What is the CWS Jello Shot Challenge? Explaining the unique competition among college baseball fans
The CWS Jello Shot Challenge and the College World Series go hand-in-hand. The challenge has existed since 2018 and has steadily gained recognition.
We explore the history of the CWS Jello Shot Challenge and consider what it means to the spirit of the College World Series.
What is the CWS Jello Shot Challenge?
The CWS Jello Shot Challenge is a shot competition held at the Rocco's Pizza and Cantina, a sports bar. It is an annual event that typically occurs during the College World Series.
According to ESPN:
"Fan bases from the eight teams in the Men's College World Series compete over who can ingest the most shots, which are color-coded for each squad.”
To keep score, a leaderboard has been created for all the remaining teams in the CWS. Furthermore, it is tracked with colored dry-erase markers on a whiteboard.
According to Kevin Culjat, a bar co-owner, the bar amassed 42% of its total yearly revenue during the two weeks of the College World Series. Moreover, the bar has a charitable incentive for continuing the competition.
As for every shot sold, Rocco's donates $1 to the shot-drinking university’s food bank and another 50 cents to the Heartland Food Bank in Omaha.
Who are the past winners of the CWS Jello Shot Challenge?
The CWS Jello Shot Challenge has become an Omaha College World Series staple. Hence, it shouldn't be a surprise that no school has won two challenges. Here's a look at past winners heading into 2024:
- 2023: LSU (68,888 shots)
- 2022: Ole Miss (18,777 shots)
- 2021: Mississippi State (3,000 shots)
- 2019: Arkansas (868 shots)
2024 CWS Schedule
Speaking of the College World Series, let's take a look at the remaining games on the schedule:
June 17, 2024
- Game 7: NC State vs. Florida, 2 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 8: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m. on ESPN
June 18, 2024
- Game 9: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 10: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. on ESPN
June 19, 2024
- Game 11: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. on ESPN
- Game 12: TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. on ESPN
June 20, 2024
- Game 13 (if required): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. on TBD
- Game 14 (if required): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. on TBD
June 22, 2024
- MCWS Final Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
June 23, 2024
- MCWS Final Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. on ABC
June 24, 2024
- MCWS Final Game 3 (if required): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. on ESPN