The Neutron Man

The Neutron Man (1942 - 2004), real name Orlas King, was a popular Ohio State University college football fan for thirty years. Always seated by the marching band, King would burst into his original dances whenever the Ohio State University Marching Band would play the “Neutron Dance”.

Biography

Early life

King grew up in Kettering, Ohio where his father was a tool and die maker. Every year he and his father would travel to Columbus, Ohio, to Ohio Stadium to watch a Buckeyes home football game. Later, King went on to play football on a scholarship at the University of Dayton.

Football Games

King, along with his wife Debbi, started dancing at Ohio State home football games in 1973. At that time he was known as the B Deck Dancer. He remained the B Deck Dancer until 1984 when the Ohio State Marching Band introduced its rendition of the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance”. The spectators established a connection between the song and King and began to chant, “Neutron Man, Neutron Man”. From that point forward, the Neutron Man would dance at every Ohio State home football game during the third quarter break. King eventually began to wear his scarlet and gray beret and his very own Ohio State Buckeyes jersey with “Neutron Man” printed on the back. The Neutron Man is also known for a photograph taken of himself and two young companions after a demoralizing defeat of (then) number 1 Ohio State to unranked Michigan State on November 7, 1998. http://stu.wccnet.org/~alarson/web_images/NEUTRON1107.jpg

Contributions

Until his death in 2004, King promoted and contributed to the Ohio State Marching Band and Ohio State Cheerleading programs. He helped to raise money for both groups and, being the owner of several restaurants, frequently catered lunches for the students after the marching band and cheerleading tryouts. Spawning from his popularity, a Neutron Man Beanie Baby was even created. A portion of the money generated from sales went to a cheerleading scholarship.

The Neutron Man Memorial Fund

The Neutron Man Memorial Fund was established by his widow, Debbi L. McComb, to benefit the Ohio State Marching Band and the Ohio State Cheerleading programs.

ee also

*College Football

References

* [http://giveto.osu.edu/lev02.asp?StoryId=115 The Neutron Man Memorial Fund]
* [http://tbdbitl.osu.edu/news/2004_orlas_king_passes.htm The Ohio State University Marching Band Alumni article]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/football/ncaa/10/07/bc.fbc.obit.neutronman.ap/index.html Sports Illustrated story]