The Pop-Tarts Bowl Trophy: How a Functional Toaster Became a College Football Icon
The Pop-Tarts Bowl has transformed from a standard college football game into a viral sensation, largely thanks to its unique trophy. What began as a decorative football-shaped award evolved into a fully functional toaster through an engineering collaboration with GE Appliances' FirstBuild lab. This article explores how engineers tackled the challenge of creating a trophy that could actually toast Pop-Tarts, the viral moments that captured national attention, and how this innovative approach represents a new era in bowl game entertainment and marketing strategy.
In the crowded landscape of college football bowl games, standing out requires more than just competitive matchups. The Pop-Tarts Bowl has achieved something remarkable: transforming its trophy from a mere decorative award into a viral internet sensation and functional kitchen appliance. This evolution represents a new frontier in sports marketing, where entertainment value and brand integration create memorable experiences that resonate far beyond the final score.
The Viral Genesis: From Decorative Trophy to Internet Phenomenon
When the Pop-Tarts Bowl debuted its original trophy in 2023, featuring a football with slots holding fake Pop-Tarts, the response was immediate and overwhelming. According to Matt Repchak, chief marketing officer at Florida Citrus Sports which operates the bowl, the game sold 22 million more Pop-Tarts in the week following the 2023 game compared to the week before. This success wasn't entirely planned but emerged from what Repchak describes as having "the right bones in place" with a focus on entertainment value. The bowl's philosophy acknowledges they're not competing with historic games like the Rose Bowl but can excel at being "fun to watch."
The Engineering Challenge: Making a Trophy That Actually Works
The persistent question from fans after the 2023 game was simple: "Is it a real functional toaster?" This query became the driving force behind the trophy's evolution. In the fall of 2024, with just six weeks until game time, the bowl partnered with GE Appliances' FirstBuild lab on the University of Louisville campus. This microfactory, known for creating innovative consumer appliances, became the birthplace of what engineer Josh Price would call "the silly thing" that captured national attention.
Design and Development Process
Price faced the unique challenge of creating both a trophy and a functional appliance. Using CAD (computer-aided design) stations, he stripped a standard toaster down to its essential components and determined how to integrate them into a football-shaped trophy. The process involved 3D printing NCAA football replicas, though initial attempts proved "too pointy" according to feedback. Price then moved beyond exact replicas to address practical design questions, including whether to include a giant slot-machine-style lever for maximum theatrical effect.
The engineering team had to balance creative vision with practical constraints. While Price's "YouTuber" instincts wanted to create an "insane mode" that would launch Pop-Tarts "into the cheap seats," marketing and legal considerations required the appliance to function like commercially available toasters. The final design featured a simple lever on the back, carefully hidden part lines and screws, and strategically placed power cord access points.
Manufacturing and Production Challenges
Creating two identical trophies (one for the bowl and one for the winning team) presented significant manufacturing challenges. Price's team used a CNC (computer numerical control) machine to precisely cut and shape 300 pounds of aluminum blocks into the football halves. Each trophy required two weeks of machine time, followed by hand-polishing by engineering lab technician Will Roberts, who became fiercely protective of the finished products.
Inside each polished aluminum football, the team installed a fully functional toaster mechanism, complete with the Pop-Tarts trademark sprinkles pattern on internal components. When completed, the 77-pound trophies required special handling, including purchasing extra airplane seats and using belt extenders to secure them during transport from Louisville to Orlando.
The Viral Moments and Live Television Drama
The trophy's debut during the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl created several memorable television moments. During pregame coverage, announcers Tom Hart and Jordan Rodgers watched as the trophy unexpectedly launched Pop-Tarts onto the studio floor during its first demonstration. "It had never done that until that moment," Price recalled, noting the mixed reactions from different stakeholders. While television producers celebrated the viral potential, engineers immediately began analyzing launch angles and potential malfunctions.
The on-field trophy presentation created additional drama when ESPN's Cole Cubelic inserted cinnamon roll Pop-Tarts (Iowa State coach Matt Campbell's favorite flavor) and initiated the 90-second toasting cycle. As Price had warned, the wait felt interminable on live television, with Cubelic eventually pleading, "Come on Pop-Tart, get outta there." The successful toast eventually occurred just as attention shifted to the giant Pop-Tart mascot climbing onto an oversized toaster prop.
The Broader Impact on Bowl Game Culture
The Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy represents a larger trend in college football bowl games emphasizing entertainment value. According to Repchak, this approach has proven successful, with last year's Pop-Tarts Bowl drawing 6.8 million viewers on ESPN—more than the SMU-Penn State first-round playoff game (6.6 million viewers). This success has inspired other branded bowls to embrace similar theatrical elements, creating what Repchak describes as healthy competition where "iron sharpens iron."
The trophy's cultural impact extends beyond television ratings. It earned a temporary exhibition at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta from January to March 2025, with a Hall of Fame spokesperson noting that "with just two years in, the Pop-Tarts trophy is synonymous with college football." At the FirstBuild lab, the achievement earned a banner reading "POP-TARTS BOWL VIRAL TROPHY 2024" alongside other award-winning inventions.
Continuous Innovation and Future Developments
The engineering team continues to refine the trophy, reducing toasting time from 90 to 45 seconds and manufacturing custom springs rather than manually bending them. These improvements reflect an ongoing commitment to both functionality and entertainment value. As Price reflects on the trophy's place alongside other historic GE Appliances inventions like the light bulb, he offers a simple assessment: "Incandescent bulbs are awesome, but that thing is awesomer."
The Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy represents more than just clever engineering—it symbolizes a shift in how sports events engage audiences through creative brand integration and entertainment-focused experiences. As bowl games compete for attention in an increasingly crowded sports landscape, this functional toaster trophy demonstrates how innovation, humor, and practical utility can create lasting cultural impact.
