Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Jenni Myers helps her 14-year-old daughter Ava, of Humboldt, throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Sunday during the Cy-Hawk Celebrity softball game to support Make-A-Wish Iowa. For more photos, visit CU.messengernews.net

Feel-good sports stories are often fan favorites in the moment, but they rarely also serve a greater purpose for a much bigger picture behind the scenes.

Sunday’s Cy-Hawk Celebrity Softball Game in Humboldt was the best of all worlds. Not only were hundreds of fans entertained by the athletic prowess of well-known Iowa Hawkeye and Iowa State Cyclone football players on and off the field, but the event itself raised six figures for children in the Make-A-Wish Iowa system.

Brent Blum, Executive Director of Iowa State University’s “We Will” Collective, reported over $200,000 had been generated on Sunday for the Humboldt Endowment, which goes to support an annual wish in Humboldt County.

Ryan Harklau, a former Humboldt and Iowa State grid standout who is a Make-A-Wish Iowa board member, was part of the initial group that opened an endowment fund seeking to raise $300,000 through the Humboldt Community Foundation. According to the Make-A-Wish Iowa website, once that goal is reached, it will “generate a $15,000 draw down every single year, forever, to fund a wish for a child in Humboldt County.”

Harklau, a former defensive lineman who helped lead the Cyclones to a 9-3 record and a bowl victory during his senior season nearly 23 years ago, joined the board of directors in 2021. He called Sunday a “great event.”

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ashlyn Clark of Humboldt, a cancer survivor, throws out the first pitch of the fourth inning on Sunday in Humboldt.

“I was so happy with how many showed up from our communities and others,” Harklau said.

A number of familiar faces were in attendance, signing autographs, taking selfies, interacting with kids and making the most of the experience. Ex-Humboldt standouts Caden Matson (Iowa State) and Jamison Heinz (Iowa) were back on their old stomping grounds, and former Southeast Valley star Aaron Graves also joined the Hawkeye roster.

The new Name Image Likeness (NIL) system is far from perfect. There are loopholes and caveats everywhere. Inconsistencies exist in the rules and regulations, as well as the return on investment.

Sunday served as a shining example of why it can work. Harklau spearheaded the organization of the event. Dallas Clark, a Livermore native and former Twin River Valley all-stater who now lives in the Humboldt area, pitched in and helped recruit players. The team rosters — dotted with Iowa and Iowa State stars — added to the significance of the festivities.

At the end of the day, though, this was about the Make-A-Wish kids. Fourteen of them were recognized as a part of the event, throwing out ceremonial pitches. This was billed as a game between the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, with the “Iowa Swarm” and “We Will” Collectives helping to bring the stars to town. The true purpose, though, was raising money for children in need.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Four-year-old Luca Kennon and his mother, Alyssa Kennon of Renwick, throw out the first pitch in Humboldt on Sunday before the fifth inning.

“It was an unbelievable night that kicked off a fundraising effort to an endowment that will last for generations,” said Clark, an ex-Iowa All-American and Pro Bowl tight end in the NFL. “Both the Cyclone and Hawkeye players put on a show and were all behind the courageous and beautiful Make-A-Wish kids, who were recognized throughout the game.

“All the amazing people who stepped up to make the night a success…it was awesome to see. The night was perfect.”

We have no idea where the NIL system is headed, and I’m well aware of the arguments against it in its current form. I don’t necessarily disagree with some of the complaints.

When naysayers insist it is broken or dysfunctional, though, show them the clips of Sunday in Humboldt. Iowa and Iowa State players joined forces for the greater good. Former Hawkeyes and Cyclones did the same. Fans benefited. Athletes benefited. Most importantly, the Make-A-Wish children and their families benefited.

Community leaders in Humboldt — like Harklau — deserve credit for using the current college landscape to their advantage. Everyone in attendance on Sunday was a winner.

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Cooper DeJean of Iowa catches a line drive against Iowa State on Sunday in Humboldt.

Eric Pratt is Sports Editor at The Messenger. Contact him via email at sports@messengernews.net, or on Twitter @ByEricPratt

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: former Humboldt standout Jamison Heinz connects for an Iowa hit on Sunday against Iowa State in Humboldt.