King of GameDay

For the first time in school history Saturday, ESPN’s weekly college pre-game show GameDay made its way to Iowa State University in Ames. Set up with Jack Trice Stadium as a backdrop, several stages were primed to host thousands of Cyclone and Hawkeye fans as they prepared for the annual Cy-Hawk football game.

Former Iowa State student Carson King, who is the nephew of Tom and Jane King of Creston, got up before the sun to secure himself a front row seat for the action, and thanks to a clever sign that was flashed across the nation’s airways, he has a chance to help out the youngest fans, too.

“I wanted to go to GameDay because I wanted to help show ESPN and the people watching around the country how much this game means to the State of Iowa and how great the fans are here,” King said. “I came up with the idea just as a joke to see if I could get enough money to buy a case of Busch Light. I really never thought anyone would even see the sign or send any money.”

King, whose uncle and aunt Tom and Jane King, made a sign reading “Busch Light supply needs replenished ~ Venmo ~ Carson-King-25” and after the first segment ended the dollars started rolling in.

“We got front row by the secondary stage. We walked in to the GameDay area around 5:30 a.m. and the main pit was absolutely packed. So we saw the secondary stage a ways back and figured we might get to see an interview up close,” King said. “It worked out that they were there a lot.”

Busch Light, a well-known favorite of the State of Iowa, even showed support by Tweeting at King “This is why Carson is King #BUSCHHHHH.” King received money from people across the country including California, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Texas and many more. From 25 cents to more than $50, people were willing to help the guy out.

It was then he decided he could do something good with the money, after he bought the pack of Busch Light.

“Everything just started to add up,” King said. “Once I saw I had more than $400, I realized there was a chance to do something special with the money. The University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital is important to both Iowa and Iowa State, both schools send money to the hospital. I figured this was a way I could help out.”

He shared his intentions on Facebook and Twitter and as of Wednesday he has raised more than $34,500.

“At the end of the day, whether you’re a Hawkeye fan, Cyclone fan or Panther fan, we’re all Iowans. And Iowans take care of each other,” King said. “When people say ‘Iowa nice,’ they really mean Iowa nice. It just shows how great the communities from all over the state are and just how special it is to be an Iowan.”

On Tuesday, through Twitter, Busch Light announced it will match King’s donation to the hospital and, of course, “throw in some of that Busch Light you were looking for.” Venmo followed suit later in the day saying “We see a lot of great stories, but this is one of our favs” and pledged to match the donation, as well.

King is keeping the account active through the end of September for additional donations.