Two University of Iowa seniors, Ryan Paris and Collin Carithers, and producer Peter Augustyniak have become internet sensations after their impassioned play‑by‑play of Iowa’s dramatic win over Michigan went viral. The call, recorded for KRUI, the campus student‑run radio station, resonated with fellow students, who began playing the clip in classrooms and sharing it on major platforms.
From the booth to the nation
“It just kind of blows my mind at the end of the day. Like, never thought that it would go this big,” Paris said, reflecting on the unexpected reach of their broadcast. Carithers added, “You walk into class and every single one is playing it immediately.” The clip even appeared on the Dan Patrick Show, SportsCenter the following morning, and was mentioned by Andy Cohen.
Why the call struck a chord
Listeners praised the call’s authenticity and the camaraderie it captured. “To see that people enjoyed what the details of the call were, the reaction, the bro‑hug, the call itself, ‘Iowa has your back,’ that is going to be something cemented in history, right?” Paris said. The trio’s enthusiasm highlighted the power of student media to connect a campus community and showcase local talent on a national stage.
Impact on aspiring broadcasters
Beyond the viral fame, the experience reinforced the students’ belief that a career in broadcasting is attainable. “Something like this kind of makes the play‑by‑play thing feel like it actually is attainable, which is something that, I’ll be honest, I don’t always feel like,” Carithers admitted. Their story serves as encouragement for other students interested in media, journalism, or sports communication.
Looking ahead
By Sunday, the three were grateful simply to have returned from Michigan with their equipment intact and to have witnessed the game’s dramatic conclusion. Their next steps include continuing to produce content for KRUI, seeking internships, and leveraging the newfound exposure to build professional networks.
Community response
The viral clip has become a point of pride for the University of Iowa community. Faculty members have incorporated the audio into media‑studies classes, and the university’s social‑media channels have highlighted the broadcast as an example of student excellence. The story underscores how local initiatives can capture national attention when they reflect genuine passion and skill.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
