Gary Morse: A Record-Setting College Football Experience

If there’s an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most consecutive field stormings in a college football season, Gary Morse may just have clinched it. Morse, a Class of 2026 college baseball recruit, embarked on a remarkable journey by taking official visits to three prestigious universities over three consecutive weekends: Vanderbilt for the Alabama game, Oregon for the Ohio State game, and Tennessee for another Alabama showdown. Each visit culminated in a thrilling field storming, making it an unforgettable experience for the 17-year-old.

Standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Bellflower, California, Morse is one of the standout right-handed pitchers in his class. He meticulously narrowed down a lengthy list of potential suitors to six schools and devised a plan for his official visits during the fall season. The adventure kicked off with a trip to Texas A&M on September 21, where he witnessed the Aggies take on Bowling Green. However, he left early, feeling confident with A&M ahead by two scores as the clock wound down in the fourth quarter.

Two weeks later, Morse found himself in Nashville, Tennessee, where he initially believed that Vanderbilt wouldn’t stand much of a chance against the formidable No. 1 Alabama. He even entertained the thought of leaving early. But as halftime approached, he was pleasantly surprised to see the Commodores leading the game.

“By the time the third quarter ended, they were still winning,” Morse recalled. “And when the final two minutes hit, they were still ahead.” As the thrilling conclusion unfolded, Morse and his friends from the baseball team made a beeline from the student section towards Vanderbilt’s pitching lab located just beneath the stands, eager to be among the first to storm the field. He captured the electrifying moment on his cellphone, sprinting towards midfield, and even lifted a Vanderbilt helmet triumphantly into the air amidst the jubilant crowd.

“I’d say I loved all of the field storms,” Morse reflected. “They were all incredible experiences. But I have to say, the Vanderbilt one was the best simply because it was such a rare occurrence, and being the first one, it holds a special place.”

Following his thrilling Vanderbilt experience, the next week saw Morse and his father in Eugene, Oregon, for a highly anticipated top-five clash between Ohio State and Oregon. The excitement in the air was palpable, and Morse overheard Oregon students discussing their plans to rush the field if the Ducks emerged victorious. When the final whistle blew, he found himself swept up in the exhilaration once more, enjoying a second consecutive week of field storming with his father cheering him on from the stands.

“The energy from these crowds is amazing, and the students are so engaged with their university,” Morse noted. “It’s really inspiring to see everyone come together, having a great time. It’s just a fantastic atmosphere.”

After the exhilarating visit to Oregon, Morse and his father marveled at their extraordinary luck in attending two of the most significant games of the 2024 season. While he anticipated enjoying discussions with the baseball coaching staffs and indulging in delicious food during the official visits, the chance of experiencing two field stormings in as many weeks as a baseball recruit felt like an improbable dream.

The final piece of this incredible puzzle fell into place during the Tennessee-Alabama game. The trifecta was complete.

“I exclaimed to my dad, ‘Three weekends in a row of storming the field? This surely has to be a record for a recruit!’” Morse said, excitement evident in his voice. “Then we started pondering, ‘Has anyone ever stormed the field three times in their life? Maybe a few superfans who’ve been to countless games, but even then, the odds seem slim.’” He chuckled, “In this case, I’m batting 1.000.”