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Crumbl Cookies founder pays off school lunch debts in the wake of BYU’s win over Utah

BYU expected to be fined after fans stormed the field. Now, Jason McGowan has redirected the $50,000 he had promised.

(Trent Nelson  |  The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU fans celebrate the win over Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU fans celebrate the win over Utah, NCAA football at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

BYU didn’t get a fine for storming the field after its win over Utah after all.

But Crumbl CEO Jason McGowan is putting the $50,000 he promised to pay to another use.

Instead of paying the Big 12, McGowan said he would give the money to BYU football players through a name, image and likeness deal.

And McGowan said he had also paid off the school lunch debt for students in the Salt Lake City and Provo City school districts.

“Because of your overwhelming support and inspired by [BYU head coach] Kalani [Sitake’s] love for his opponents, every bit of student lunch debt in the Provo City and Salt Lake City school districts for all schools was wiped out this morning,” McGowan posted on social media.

Both districts confirmed McGowan’s donation on Wednesday.

“We are grateful to Jason and Whitney McGowan for their generous donation,” the Salt Lake City School District said in a statement. “Through our Salt Lake Education Foundation, they wiped out more than $60,000 of student lunch debt in one fell swoop. This is going to make a huge difference for families!”

A Provo spokesperson stated that the donation there exceeded $30,000.

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