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After going viral, 'Waffle Guy' headed to Big Ten Tournament

March 15, 2019

With nearly $2,100 raised through GoFundMe, "Waffle Guy" is headed to the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.

Economics senior Nate Guzowski became an internet sensation during Saturday's basketball game against the University of Michigan when he was given time on air by ESPN in a split screen next to the game. Since then, the 22-year-old has had an outpouring of donations from students, alumni and even U-M fans hoping to send him to Friday's game in Chicago.

"I was never intending on going to the Big Ten tournament — I didn't go on spring break, couldn't afford to go anywhere," Guzowski said. "But I saw someone tweet — it was like, 'Oh, someone should get a GoFundMe for this guy and go to the tournament, the NCAA tournament, even.'"

Guzowski posted the GoFundMe, "Get the Waffle Guy to the Big Ten Tournament," at 8 a.m. Monday morning.

Now, he's headed to Chicago for Friday's game.

"It just shows the support the alumni have here and how much people just love MSU athletics," Guzowski said.

After looking at ticket prices, hotel costs and money needed for transportation, Guzowski set the GoFundMe with a goal of $2,000. He hopes to donate the surplus to a charity that supports survivors of sexual abuse.

"Michigan State has been through tough times in the last year, year and a half," Guzowski said. "I was looking at hopefully having a lot of money that was over the (GoFundMe) limit, or if I spend way less than I intend to, having that go to some of the campaigns that are going around for the sexual assault survivors. I feel like they're such a big part of this university and deserve everything they can get."

He said he plans to wear the waffle hat to Friday's game, too. Guzowski said although he might not be able to get as rowdy as he was in the Izzone, he plans on trying some new dance moves and getting the fans around him excited.

"If it's on TV, that's fine, if it's not, I'm still having a good time."

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