Predicting the 2026 Mark Light Shakes

By Jake McKeever

With the return of college baseball, it’s time to celebrate one of the sport’s greatest traditions, and possibly its most unhinged culinary experiment, Mark Light Shakes.

For those who live under a rock or are new to college baseball: Mark Light Field doesn’t just serve milkshakes, it serves edible chaos in a plastic cup. They aren’t just your basic Chocolate Vanilla and Strawberry. They’re regional tributes. They’re digestive gambles.

Here are my predictions (and demands) for this year’s slate.

Lehigh & Lafayette – The “Philly Pizza Shake”

Two schools. Twenty minutes apart. One shared fate.

Lehigh and Lafayette both sit an hour and a half north of Philadelphia and west of New York City, meaning there’s only one logical solution: a New York–Philly fusion monstrosity. Or Philly-New York fusion depending on your hometown.

Introducing: The Philly Pizza Shake.

Picture this:

• A blended base inspired by a classic New York slice

• Cheesesteak toppings layered on top

• A mini slice jammed into the whipped cream

• Shaved ribeye crumbles

• Maybe a provolone rim if we’re feeling reckless

• 
  

It’s Philly meets the Big Apple It’s grease meets dairy. It’s something neither city asked for but both deserve.

Since the schools are back-to-back, we can reuse ingredients. Sustainability.

Florida – Fried Alligator Shake

An in-state rivalry renewed at Mark Light calls for one thing:

Eating the mascot.

SEC teams do it every year when Florida comes to town. Why should Miami be any different?

Give me:

• Vanilla base

• Fried gator bites on top

• Maybe a honey-hot glaze drizzle

• A tiny plastic swamp decoration for ambiance

• 
  

It’s bold. It’s aggressive. It’s rivalry energy in shake form.

Boston College – Lobster Bisque Shake

Boston and lobster go together like Miami and Cubanos.

So when BC rolls into Coral Gables, let’s make them feel at home with a creamy, savory tribute:

Lobster Bisque Shake.

• Buttery bisque base

• Maine style with some nice cream Mayo on top

• Squeeze of lemon

• Chunks of lobster claw perched on top

• Oyster crackers instead of sprinkles

• Maybe a tiny buoy decoration for dramatic effect

• 
  

It’s classy. It’s coastal. It’s slightly offensive to New England tradition, almost too perfect for Mark Light.

Creighton – Steak & Potato Shake (with Golden Straws)

An Omaha team coming to Miami during the 25th anniversary celebration of the 2001 championship?

Almost like a masters dinner the night before, a weekend like this calls for a special shake

Nothing screams Omaha like steak and potatoes. Gorat’s, the Drover, all come to mind when thinking about Omaha So let’s lean all the way in:

• Savory steak-infused base

• Whipped mashed potatoes on top

• Steak strips skewered through the whipped cream

• Golden straws to honor the 2001 champs

  
  

It’s hearty. It’s Nebraska . It’s drinkable dinner for your grandpa with no teeth.

Virginia Tech – Thanksgiving Shake

Another mascot-inspired special.

While a “Hokie” might not technically be real, the maroon turkey has been a long-standing symbol of VT.

So let’s have Thanksgiving… in April.

The Thanksgiving Shake:

• Turkey-infused savory base

• Cranberry drizzle

• Stuffing crumbles

• A mini drumstick sticking out the top

• 
  

It’s festive. It’s confusing. It’s deeply on-brand for Mark Light.

Wake Forest – Dioli’s Chicken Parm Shake

I considered going full Tobacco Road theme. I thought about something Deacon-related. (Communion Shake? Too far.)

Instead, let’s honor a true Winston-Salem staple: Dioli’s Market.

Just steps from Wake Forest, it’s a cornerstone of local cuisine. So why not turn their legendary chicken parm sandwich into a shake?

• Tomato-cream base

• Mozzarella whip

• Breaded chicken chunks

• A garlic knot garnish

• 
  

It’s cultured. It’s chaotic. It’s Italian-American excellence in liquid form.

Cal – White Wine & Cheese Shake

Cal was tough.

Too far from San Francisco to lazily go with crab. South Bay is known for incredible Asian food. But Cal also carries that “wine and cheese” fanbase reputation.

So let’s lean into it.

The Napa White Wine Shake:

• White wine-infused base

• Mascarpone or cream cheese swirl

• A salami heart on the outside of the cup

• Maybe a little charcuterie board garnish

• 
  

It’s bougie. It’s Berkeley. It pairs well with complaining about NIL taking your best players.

Louisville – Mint Julep Shake

The layup of layups.

Louisville coming to town during Derby season? You don’t overthink this one.

They’ve done it before, and it looked incredible.

• Mint-infused base

• Bourbon glaze

• Crushed cookies for that “ice” look

• A derby hat decoration

• 
  

Simple. Elegant. Effective.

Sometimes tradition beats creativity.