My Soccer Story: Ethan King
King is the founder of Charity Ball and a former DI college soccer player
Ethan King didn’t have a specific plan or goal in mind when he started Charity Ball in 2010. There was no grand vision about creating an international organization that partners with well-known professionals and global brands.
Back then, King was just a 10-year-old kid who wanted to make a difference and knew how powerful a soccer ball could be.
"I didn't really think about it, man,” he said. “I was young and I just wanted to help … Really, it came from having a feeling of wanting to give back, wanting to help, and using my love for the game as an opportunity to do that."
The idea came to him following a trip to Mozambique with his dad in the summer of 2009. They were going to restore broken water wells, and King brought a soccer ball along. He wound up giving it to some of the kids he met.
The joy that soccer ball brought made King want to do the same thing for other disadvantaged children. Soon enough, Charity Ball was born.
"It humbles you, and it makes you kind of question why someone -- just because of where they're born -- has this life … That's difficult to reconcile,” King said. “I think it's a lot easier just to say it is what it is at the end of the day."
Over the last 15 years, Charity Ball has made soccer ball deliveries in more than 50 countries on five different continents. The organization also launched a “Level the Field” initiative aimed at empowering young girls and another focused on providing clean drinking water.
Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Neven Subotić and retired U.S. men’s national team captain Michael Bradley are among those who have supported Charity Ball’s efforts. Johnson & Johnson and Continental Tire have partnered with the organization to make deliveries in the host nations of the 2014 (Brazil) and 2018 (Russia) World Cups. King personally made the deliveries.
His travels around the world have put in perspective for King just how much the sport means globally.
"You get out there in the world, and soccer really is the world's game … You travel to any other country besides the United States, and you run into kids playing soccer in the park,” he said. “Or you'll have a basketball court. Kids are playing soccer on the basketball court instead of basketball."
King had an impressive playing career as well, making 40 appearances and contributing three goal involvements (1 goal, 2 assists) at Butler University. He was part of a Big East regular-season championship team and two NCAA Tournament teams.
"Putting on that jersey at Butler, going out for game day, running down the tunnel -- those are things you look back and are just like, 'Man, those are awesome,'" King said.
While his playing career has come to an end, King is grateful that Charity Ball keeps him connected to the sport and gives him an opportunity to positively influence future generations.
"Soccer is a beautiful game,” he said. “It is the beautiful game. It's shaped most of my life. It's given me some brilliant opportunities, but it continues to create amazing opportunities for young kids … It's the gift that keeps on giving."