Dirk Chatelain
Omaha World-Herald
The study, conducted by Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss and commissioned by CWS Inc., showed a major bump from the $63.7 million calculated in 2014, when Goss last compiled the numbers.
For the first time in 40-plus years, Jack Diesing Jr. headed out of town during College World Series week.
COVID canceled his beloved summer sports reunion in June 2020, so the CWS' chief cheerleader did something unthinkable. He took a golf trip to Kansas.
This summer, the golf clubs will return to their traditional storage. The CWS is coming home.
“I’m feeling the itch to get the excitement going in and around TD Ameritrade,” said Diesing, the president of the CWS local organizing committee.
Exactly how many fans will occupy the ballpark from June 19-30 is still undetermined, but if foot traffic is anything close to 2019, the local economy can prepare for a boost.
According to the latest study, released last week, a fully operational CWS is worth about $88.3 million to Omaha.
The study, conducted by Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss and commissioned by CWS Inc., showed a major bump from the $63.7 million calculated in 2014, when Goss last compiled the numbers.
The major difference is a bigger tourist presence. Based on interviews with about 1,000 random attendees during the 2019 CWS, Goss’ research team estimated that 71.2% came from outside Omaha, including 59% outside of Nebraska. Those numbers increased double digits from a decade ago.
“That would be unbelievable to most citizens of Omaha, because they think of it as just an event that clogs up the highways,” Goss said. “We want those individuals here. That’s where the money comes from.”
The larger national presence has several causes. Youth baseball tournaments during the CWS, most notably Slumpbuster and Battle of Omaha, are drawing more and more fans to the metro. Tickets are easier than ever to sell online. And the event’s reputation keeps growing nationally.
Diesing called the CWS a “bucket-list item” for people. “I can’t tell you how many people I run into that say, ‘I gotta get to the College World Series.’”
“That would be unbelievable to most citizens of Omaha, because they think of it as just an event that clogs up the highways,” Creighton economics professor Ernie Goss said. “We want those individuals here. That’s where the money comes from.”
BRENDAN SULLIVAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
But out-of-town tourists didn’t just watch baseball, Goss said. More than 23% visited the Old Market. Almost 20% visited the zoo. Even Boys Town — 12 miles from downtown — drew 12% of CWS tourists, based on surveys.
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“I didn’t expect that,” Goss said.
The new research determined that the average CWS tourist is spending more money in Omaha in part because of the move downtown in 2011. The Capitol District has added entertainment options that didn’t exist before.
“Opportunities to spend in Omaha are much greater than they were,” Goss said.
The new economic impact numbers are conservative, Goss said, because they didn’t count spending by Omahans who attend the CWS.
Jack Diesing Jr., the president of the CWS local organizing committee, called the event a “bucket-list item” for people. “I can’t tell you how many people I run into that say, ‘I gotta get to the College World Series.’”
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
The latest study noted the rising number of jobs created by the CWS. Goss’ study calculated 1,110 year-round jobs in 2019, compared to 777 in 2014. Total wages and salaries exceeded $29 million, including $6.5 million to bars and restaurants.
The new study does not include the CWS media, public relations and marketing value for Omaha, which a separate 2019 analysis estimated at $4.4 billion.
Diesing credits the CWS for sparking the city’s sports initiative, leading to more big events like the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and NCAA championships.
“It’s been a big boost to the economic vitality of our community, the image of our community and frankly to the quality of life,” Diesing said.
One reason for the new research, Diesing said, is to remind Omahans not to take the CWS for granted. The city’s contract with the NCAA spans another 15 years, but Diesing wants to make sure that young people and new fans know their CWS history.
“It would be terrible if we didn’t have it here, let’s put it that way,” Diesing said. “Can you imagine having to explain why this wasn’t here? That’s why we get this word out.”
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES THROUGH THE YEARS
Photos: College World Series through the years
Here's a shot of the 1970 College World Series crowd.
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Umpire Bill Stewart listened patiently as Tulsa coach Gene Shell argued in vain on "out" call in 1971.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Out at the plate! Souther California's Frank Alfano tried to stretch a triple into a home run, but was tagged out by Tulsa catcher Mike Pemberton. The umpire pictured is Don Gust in a photo published June 16, 1971.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Reggie Tredway jumped, steadied himself on the grandstand railing and made the catch. Harvard rivals look on in grudging admiration in 1971.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Southern Cal Coach Rod Dedeaux protests a call in 1972.
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A Georgia Southern quartet relaxed outside Blackstone Hotel in 1973. From left: John Tamargo, Rolando DeArmas, Steve Daniel and Keathel Chaucey.
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Catcher Wayne Mears of Florida State grimaced in pain as Seton Hall's Mike O'Connor scored under the eye of umpire Sonny Nole during a second-inning collision in 1975.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sliding Tom Kober of Seton Hall was forced out at second base in the fourth inning, but forced Longhorn Blair Stouffer's late relay to first base in 1975.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Caught in a rundown. Arizona's Al Lopez threw to Glen Wendt, who tagged out Clemson's Robert Bonnette between first and second base in 1976.
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It's a double play! Ken Phelps of ASU upended Russ Quetti after an errant throw to first base. This photo was published June 17, 1976.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
A desperate slide came up short. Oral Roberts' Audie Culbert is forced out at the plate by North Carolina catcher Lloyd Brewer as umpire Dale Williams looks on in 1978.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Record-setting crowd of 15,276 overflows the third base line at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 7, 1980.
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Arizona State claimed its fifth CWS championship by defeating Oklahoma State 7-4 . Shown are outfielder Ricky Nelson and pitcher Jeff Ahern.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Oklahoma State bat girl Sonya Thomas and South Carolina mascot 'Cocky' are friends for the moment.
JIM BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
South Carolina second baseman Tom Williams leaps over Arizona State's Alvin Davis as he throws to first to complete a double play in the seventh inning. Photo published June 7, 1981.
JIM BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
A hero's welcome. Michigan players mob Casey Close, left, after his grand-slam homer put the Wolverines ahead 10-4 in a seven-run ninth inning. Photo published June 9, 1983.
JOHN J. GAPS III/THE WORLD-HERALD
Fullerton pitcher Todd Simmons, dark jersey top, and Texas' David Denny are tangled up in this fourth-inning collision. Photo published June 5, 1984.
JOHN J. GAPS III/THE WORLD-HERALD
Umpire Randy Christal works the Maine-Arizona game with the television camera on top of his mask. ESPN hoped to use the camera in other series games. Photo published June 1, 1986.
RICHARD JANDA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Miami's Greg Ellena, wearing batting helmet on the right, is mobbed by teammates after a game-winning homer that eliminated Mississippi State. Photo published June 9, 1985.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Mississippi State center fielder Dan Van Cleve leaps in vain for the ball.
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Stanford's Toi Cook, No. 27, is safe at the plate in the third inning as Texas pitcher Curt Krippner is not in time to take the throw from catcher Brian Johnson. Photo published June 3, 1987.
MEL EVANS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lightning strikes behind Oklahoma state players Tony Kounas, left, and Rocky Ward as they check out weather conditions during a rain delay. Photo published June 2, 1987.
MEL EVANS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Stanford celebrates winning its first CWS title . The Cardinal's best finish previously was third in 1967.
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Wichita State pitcher Shane Durham sits in the dugout following the Shockers' loss to ASU. Photo published June 11, 1988.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Arizona State third baseman John Finn jumps into the arms of pitcher Gordy Farmer after the final out of the .
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
A cloud of dust can't obscure the fact that Cal State Fullerton center fielder Bobby Jones is out trying to stretch a double into a triple. Miami third baseman Rob Wood displays the ball after making the tag. Photo published June 5, 1988.
RUDY SMITH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Arizona State pitcher Rusty Kilgo shows the umpire the ball after tagging out Florida's Mike Moberg, who was trying to score on a wild pitch. Photo published June 8, 1988.
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Third-base umpire Bob Jones asks fans to remove their banner that was draped over the left-field wall during the Cal State Long Beach-LSU game. Photo published June 6, 1989.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Wichita State's Mike Jones beats the tag of Texas pitcher Brian Dare in the second inning.
JIM BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
Wichita State base runner Joey Wilson ends up beneath Florida State second baseman Rocky Rau after breaking up an attempted double play by the Seminoles in the third inning. Photo published June 5, 1989.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dejection consumes Florida State catcher Matt Clements on the dugout steps. The loss was the Seminoles' second to Wichita State in three CWS clashes with the Shockers. Photo published June 10, 1989.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Florida State starting pitcher Clyde Keller, center, is mobbed by teammates after the . Photo published June 5, 1989.
CHRIS YOUNG/THE WORLD-HERALD
The hug of champions. Georgia pitcher Joe Kelly, right, wraps his arms around outfielder Ray Suplee during the postgame celebration. Photo published June 10, 1990.
JANNET WALSH/THE WORLD-HERALD
Guess who? It's the CWS mascot, the Maniac, clowning with LSU catcher Gary Hymel. Photo published June 1, 1991.
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Chris Sachs of Omaha and other fans camped out early to wait for the CWS ticket booth to open. Photo published May 31, 1991.
RICH JANDA/THE WORLD-HERALD
Cal State Fullerton pitcher Ted Silva throws to Greg Walbridge in the fourth inning.
PHIL JOHNSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rosenblatt Stadium was packed for the Long Beach State-Clemson game. Later, Creighton and Wichita . Photo published June 4, 1991.
PHIL JOHNSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Best seat to catch home runs and sunbathe: the left field bleachers.
BILL BATSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Pepperdine celebrates winning the .
PHIL JOHNSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
LSU fan Anita Haywood, from Baton Rogue, La., hangs K's for each strikeout along the railing. Omaha fans A.J. LaMalfa, 13, and his dad, Chuck LaMalfa, cheer her on.
PHIL JOHNSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
LSU holds up the trophy after winning . The Tigers defeated Wichita State 8-0 in the championship game.
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Cal State Fullerton dogpiles after winning the against USC.
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Clemson's Michael Johnson slides into home safe as Georgia Tech catcher Tyler Parker tries to tag on June 16, 2002.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Mike Neibaum, in visor, and Joel Clark, right, high five as the Huskers narrowly escape a double play in the seventh inning as the Huskers took on Clemson on June 14, 2002.
KENT SIEVERS/THE WORLD-HERALD
Texas fan Shane Oknewski of Council Bluffs, Iowa, watches his team defeat Miami.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Texas players mob Eric Sultemeier after he doubled and scored on a throwing error by the left fielder in the fourth inning.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Rose Hurst, 82, works seasonally at Zestos in South Omaha. "I am a jack-of-all-trades here," she said. "But I am a master of none of them." She was photographed on Friday, June 13, 2003.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Cal State Fullerton dogpiles after winning the 2004 championship..
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Cal State Fullerton first baseman P.J. Pilittere and pitcher Jason Windsor jump for joy after the closing out Texas in 2004.
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Andy Ryan of Omaha, takes a nap after painting himself red and waiting all night for a chance to get bleacher tickets at Rosenblatt Stadium in 2005.
PHIL JOHNSON/THE WORLD-HERALD
Matt Welch of North Platte, Nebraska goes wild high-fiving everyone he can reach in his section after the bases-loaded hit in the sixth inning that produced two runs for the Huskers on opening day of the 2005 College World Series.
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Tulane's Brian Bogusevic makes a diving catch in the outfield as Nathan Southard celebrates in the sixth inning.
CHRIS BERGIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Texas right fielder Nick Peoples makes a leaping catch at the wall in the eighth inning against Tulane on June 20, 2005.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Florida's Gavin Dickey looks up as fans beg for a ball during their game against Arizona State at Rosenblatt Stadium. Florida won 6-3.
CHRIS BERGIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Greg Mahtook, left, and his son Gregory Mahtook, Jr., 8, of Lafayette, La., point to the flyover before the start of Texas's game against LSU at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 22, 2009. LSU center fielder Mikie Mahtook is the cousin of Gregory Mahtook, Jr.
ALYSSA SCHUKAR/THE WORLD-HERALD
Barry Bonds may not have been the highest vote-getter, but he earned the loudest applause when the College World Series Legends Team was introduced at Rosenblatt Stadium on June 18, 2010.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
The fireworks show explodes above the stadium after the opening ceremonies of the College World Series on June 18, 2010.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
A thunderstorm forced a delay in the Oklahoma-Clemson game after five innings.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lambert Barteck played the organ for the final year at Rosenblatt , but did not make the move to TD Ameritrade Park.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
South Carolina's Whit Merrifield slides safely into third with a triple in the fifth inning as Clemson pitcher Casey Harman covers the errant throw.
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A South Carolina fan cheers on the team in the third inning.
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Texas A&M's Andrew Collazo rests in the dugout after a loss to California on June 21, 2011.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
South Carolina celebrates its for the CWS championship .
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Florida mascot 'Albert' and fan Taylor Doremus, 7, son of Tony and Christine Doremus of Omaha pose in front of the 'Road to Omaha' statue with South Carolina mascot 'Cocky' the Gamecock and fan Brady Evans, 6, of Chattanooga, TN., whose dad Rocky Evans played on the 2002 South Carolina CWS team.
JAMES R. BURNETT/THE WORLD-HERALD
Izzy Martinez, of Bellevue, watches the storm clouds before the start of the Kent State-South Carolina game on June 20, 2012.
ANNA REED/THE WORLD-HERALD
Florida State's Justin Gonzalez hits a three-run home run against Stony Brook.
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South Carolina's Nolan Belcher does a back flip while pumping up his team before their game against Florida on June 16, 2012.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
UCLA's Nick Vander Tuig throws the first pitch of game two of the championship series to Mississippi State's Adam Frazier on June 25, 2013.
DANIEL JAMES MURPHY/THE WORLD-HERALD
N.C. State pitcher Logan Jerigan warms up before the game against UCLA on June 18, 2013.
DANIEL JAMES MURPHY/THE WORLD-HERALD
With the N.C. State bullpen watching, UCLA's Christoph Bono snags a fly ball hit by the Wolfpack's Trea Turner in the bottom of the eighth inning.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
N.C. State catcher Brett Austin, right, throws his mask to the ground in frustration after North Carolina's Brian Hoblerton was called safe at home.
MATT MILLER/THE WORLD-HERALD
UCLA players celebrate with the following the over Mississippi State.
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Jett Feltman, 11, stands quietly and wears a big glove in the outfield with Jake McBride, 11, right. Both are from Houston, Texas.
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A deep fly ball hit by Virginia's Brandon Downes bounces off Vanderbilt center fielder John Norwood's glove in the sixth inning. Downes got a triple on the play.
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Ole Miss' John Gatlin, right, hugs a teammate following the Rebels' 4-1 elimination game loss to Virginia on June 21, 2014.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans and stadium workers watch the storm move in over the downtown skyline on June 20, 2014.
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Ole Miss Elvis, Dustin Davis of Tupelo, Miss., poses for photos with Nancy Cole of Monroe, La., outside TD Ameritrade Park.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Vanderbilt celebrates in the championship game of the .
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
With a giant American flag unfurled in center field, fans stand for the singing of the National Anthem before Arkansas plays Virginia in the first game of the 2015 College World Series.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Arkansas' Zach Jackson sits in the dugout after picking up the loss against Miami. The Hurricanes broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning to eliminate the Razorbacks.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Fans pose with Florida's mascot Albert the Gator on June 15, 2015.
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LSU outfielder Mark Laird catches a hit by Cal State Fullerton's Tyler Stein in the bottom of the fifth inning.
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Florida's Buddy Reed dives for a ball hit by Virginia's Adam Haseley in the fifth inning. Reed initially caught the ball but the ground knocked it loose.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
LSU's rally bear, Lil' Brown Suga, sits in the dugout during practice.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
Vanderbilt's Will Toffey misses a hit by Virginia's Kevin Doherty in the top of the third inning.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Virginia celebrates its to clinch the .
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
UC Santa Barbara players console each other after a loss ended their College World Series on June 22, 2016.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Grounds crew members use a stencil to spell out "PIV" in honor of World-Herald staff writer Steve Pivovar.
MEGAN FARMER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Oklahoma State's Ryan Sluder dives for and catches a ball hit to center field against Arizona on June 20, 2016.
MEGAN FARMER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Grounds crew members collect beach balls and other assorted inflatable items on June 23, 2016.
MEGAN FARMER/THE WORLD-HERALD
Arizona's Justin Behnke collides with Oklahoma State first baseman Andrew Rosa on June 24, 2016. Behnke was safe.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
TCU's Mitchell Traver wears a stack of rally hats on June 25, 2016.
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Arizona players mess around in the dugout on June 28, 2016.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Coastal Carolina's G.K. Young, left, celebrates with teammates after winning the College World Series on .
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Catcher Mike Rivera celebrates Florida's first national title after the Gators swept LSU 2-0 in the 2017 championship series.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Lightning strikes on Friday outside TD Ameritrade Park. The 2017 College World Series opening ceremony was cancelled because of severe weather.
SARAH HOFFMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
With two outs and a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Game 2, Arkansas misplayed a pop fly that would have won the program's first College World Series.
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In 2018, the Oregon State Beavers found themselves in six elimination games in Omaha, but still battled their way to the program's third College World Series title. Rain affected five days of action, including postponing Game 1 of the championship series.
REBECCA S. GRATZ/THE WORLD-HERALD
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