National championship trophy visits Omaha sites to build excitement for CWS

The 72 year history of Omaha hosting the College World Series.

The College World Series trophy sat in an alcove at the Henry Doorly Zoo's Scott Aquarium, penguins frolicking in the background.

It's one of many spots around Omaha that a replica of college baseball's biggest prize has visited before the NCAA Division I championship begins June 15.

It's exactly like the one that will be hoisted by the winning team later this June, except that there is no year designating when it would have been won.

"Taking the trophy around the city I thought would be a good way to build some momentum toward the event," said Joey Gardner, marketing and creative services manager for College World Series of Omaha Inc.

Gardner and interns Ryan Jorgenson and Jaelle Johnson, a softball player at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, compiled the photos for a video that showcases some of the iconic places to see in Omaha.

The CWS trophy at Gene Leahy Mall, which is of many spots around Omaha that the replica has visited.

They’re hoping CWS visitors will watch the video and want to visit the included destinations. Maybe some Omahans, too.

The zoo was a natural, Gardner said, given that part of it now sits on land where Rosenblatt Stadium once stood. The CWS was played on that diamond from 1950 to 2010.

College World Series of Omaha Inc. interns Ryan Jorgenson and Jaelle Johnson get photos and video of a replica of the CWS trophy surrounded by penguins at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium.

"The zoo was in the backdrop of Rosenblatt," Gardner said.

The trophy also visited the locomotives at Lauritzen Gardens, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, the Old Market and the CHI Health Center Omaha. And, of course, Charles Schwab Field, where the CWS is now played.

It was on-hand for some college baseball games, too, and fans loved it.

The replica trophy in the seats at Charles Schwab Field, where the CWS is now played.

"A lot of people are excited about it," Gardner said. "It's not every day you get to see a national championship trophy. We’re not shy about letting people touch it and hold it and take their picture with it."

This is the second video compiled by Gardner and his crew. They also put one together for selection day last Monday that showed the pomp and circumstance surrounding the CWS.

They’ll do another with the sights and sounds of the annual tournament the week before it starts.

Gardner, whose expertise is social media, was hired in November by CWS Inc., which he said is in a unique situation in that the local championship organizing committee doesn't leave Omaha. It's here as long as the CWS is here, which is different from other organizing groups of its type, which come and go.

That CWS contract with Omaha is until 2036. So, his job is to tell the story of the championship year-round.

"It's big for us to be able to do this," he said.

Mississippi pitcher John Gaddis (27) throws a pitch against Oklahoma in the seventh inning in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/John Peterson)

Oklahoma's Kendall Pettis, right, dodges a pitch by Mississippi catcher Hayden Dunhurst for the fourth ball to walk with bases loaded and bring a runner in to score against Mississippi in the seventh inning in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi's TJ McCants, right, catches a fly ball to center field by Oklahoma's Tanner Tredaway in the seventh inning in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, left, argues with the umpire after a run was taken back due to interference against Mississippi by an Oklahoma first base runner in the sixth inning in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi catcher Hayden Dunhurst, left, leaps with closing pitcher Brandon Johnson after the final out against Oklahoma to win Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi players dogpile following their victory over Oklahoma to win Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi's Jack Washburn, right, leaps on top of the team pile in celebration of their 4-2 victory over Oklahoma in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Mississippi defeated Oklahoma 4-2 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi players celebrate following their 4-2 victory over Oklahoma to win Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Mississippi defeated Oklahoma 4-2 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Oklahoma closing pitcher Trevin Michael watches as Mississippi celebrates their 4-2 win in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Mississippi defeated Oklahoma 4-2 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Oklahoma closing pitcher Trevin Michael watches as Mississippi players celebrate their win in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Mississippi closing pitcher Brandon Johnson, right, and Derek Diamond high five fans following their 4-2 victory over Oklahoma in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Mississippi defeated Oklahoma 4-2 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

Oklahoma's Tanner Tredaway sits in the dugout following their 4-2 loss against Mississippi in Game 2 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals, Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Omaha, Neb. Mississippi defeated Oklahoma 4-2 to win the championship. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)

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The 72 year history of Omaha hosting the College World Series.