A Summit High School Valedictorian Snags $100,000 with a 33-yard Field Goal

A former Summit High School valedictorian and Storm soccer player is $100,000 richer, thanks to his field goal-kicking chops.

Otto Haar, who graduated from Summit in 2023 and is currently a junior at the University of Oregon, attended ESPN’s campus-hopping “College GameDay” broadcast at the Memorial Quad in Eugene on Nov. 22. As part of the pregame broadcast, several contestants are picked, raffle-style, from the 500-person audience to compete in sport analyst Pat McAfee’s field goal Kicking Contest — an integral part of the pregame broadcast since the 2023 season. McAfee ponies up his own cash; some winners walk away with as much as $500,000.

Haar was tapped as a runner-up.

This was the second time this season — and 14th time overall — that “College GameDay” visited the UO campus, yet it was the first time for Haar.

“I heard people say it was fun — you get free stuff, there’s the field goal contest,” Haar said. “When I heard ‘College GameDay’ was coming back, I was like, ‘We’ve got to be there.’”

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In footage posted to the Oregon Ducks Instagram account, fans, some with emerald and gold face paint, thronged the mini football field that was just long enough to accommodate the 33-yard field goal contest. Crouching, the Duck mascot teed the ball. Haar lined up for his second and last attempt before delivering a textbook kick. The ball soared, veering right yet splitting the uprights.

A referee raised his arms, signifying completion. Fans roared as Haar sprinted across the field. He tore off his team shirt before leaping to slap the bottom of the goal post. The Duck chased after Haar, who pivoted to bear-hug the mascot, lifting him off the ground several times.

“I mean, I’m happy. The Duck is happy,” Haar said. “I gave him the biggest hug ever.”

McAfee handed Haar his shirt before congratulating him and later signing the novelty check for $100,000.

Reached by phone, Haar, who’s a computer science and business double major, giggled as he recounted the win — and its preparation. He and his friends practiced field goals in their backyard the day before the “College GameDay” broadcast. Around 10 pm, they made their way to the campus, where they waited in line — all night — to ensure they’d gain morning entry to the pit — and their chance to score a raffle ticket for the Kicking Contest. Haar intentionally wore Adidas Gazelles — soccer shoes, perfect for booting a ball.

A cheerleader snagged the first raffle ticket; Haar, the second. The prize purse was originally $500,000 — with an even match going to charity — yet the first contestant’s two attempts didn’t go through, Haar recounted.

McAfee turned to Haar: “All right, you’re the lucky guy — it’s your turn.”

Haar’s first kick — for $250,000 with a charity match — slid off his foot; it didn’t have the power, he said.

“That was the ‘practice shot,’” Haar joked. “But I knew if I fixed that, I’d be golden.”

Haar’s second kick was right on the money.

But what’s he gonna do with all that cash?

“I was researching trips out of the country if I had to flee with it,” Haar said. “But, unfortunately, $100,000 is not quite retirement money.”

He’s joking. What Haar intends to do with the money is wackier.

“Me and my friends went as a group,” Haar said. “Since no one really expected to kick, we were saying, ‘Whoever makes it has to split it with everyone.’ And, unfortunately for me, I’m a man of my word.”

A passionate traveler, Haar did say that, at some point, he’ll put some of those winnings toward a trip abroad.

Was Haar more nervous presenting his valedictorian speech or competing in Pat McAfee’s Kicking Contest?

“I’m not really someone who crumbles,” he said. “A valedictorian speech gets you a couple high fives, some congratulations. But the kick gets you $100,000. So I’d definitely say the nerves were higher for this kick.”

Pat McAfee is a celebrated, eight-season kicker for the Indiana Colts who became a full-time “College GameDay” cast member in 2022. McAfee told The Athletic that he donated $1.7 million in prize money in 2024. This year, McAfee has contributed more than $5 million in prize money, according to a comment “College GameDay” posted on social media.