Jell-O shot challenge raises money for local food pantry

While the Boys of Troy went around the bases in Omaha, several Troy fans headed to Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina to take part in a fan-favorite College World Series tradition.

For six years now, fans have swarmed Rocco’s to take part in its Jell-O shot challenge. The challenge is simple: whichever fanbase orders the most shots wins.

However, the reason some fans participate in the challenge is not because of the colorful shots, but the impact it has on communities.

“Rocco’s challenge is just as big a part of the CWS as the games themselves,” said Ryan McCollough, a Troy alumnus. “I really like how the bar funnels the proceeds to local Omaha charities.”

It is not just local charities who benefit from the challenge, as the benefits helpthose over 1,000 miles away. Each shot is $5, with $1 going to the team’s local food bank and 50 cents going to Omaha’s food bank.

Troy fans helped raise over $6,000 for the Trojan Food Pantry, the on-campus pantry for students facing food insecurity. For the Trojan fans who helped, they could not be prouder of their results.

“I am very proud,” McCollough said. “I am even prouder of the Trojan fans from all over the world that participated.

“It really showed how much Troy people love and care for other Trojans.”

Although it helps charities, it is a challenge with one team’s fanbase being declared the winner. Trojan fans who could not make the trip reached out to those in Omaha to help raise the Troy count.

“I had multiple fans and alums from around the country that couldn’t make it to Omaha, but they Venmoed me money to buy shots,” McCollough said. “They wanted to support the Troy count.

“In total, I purchased around 500 shots through their donations and my personal count.”

In the end, Troy finished fifth in the challenge, beating out the fan bases of Georgia, Texas and Alabama. While it might have been competitive and tense on the diamond between the teams, the atmosphere in Rocco’s was far from it.

“It was amazing,” said Cade Renfroe, a Troy native. “Absolutely an incredible environment.

“Most of the other fans were super nice to be around.”

Oklahoma might have won the College World Series, and West Virginia might have walked away with the win at Rocco’s, but the true winners are the students who can continue to use a local food bank to help them fight hunger as they study for tests.