All weekend long, Penn State Athletics will proudly represent at the 46th IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON). Follow along for exclusive coverage from the Bryce Jordan Center and beyond.
THON's 700+ dancers this year includes six student-athletes as well as members of the cheerleading and dance teams.
"I think throughout my career I've done a lot through the football program for the community and I wanted to make sure that I left my footprint somewhere other than the football field and influence people other than using my jersey to do so." - Nick Scott (football)
"Everyone says you don't truly understand THON until you're actually a part of it and that's absolutely true. - Megan Schafer
FRIDAY, FEB. 16 - 4:30 P.M.
Penn State's student-athlete dancers prepped at Multi-Sport before passing through the human tunnel on the way inside the Bryce Jordan Center to await the moment they would officially take their feet.
"The families are always just the most amazing people and if you met them on the street you would never know they were going through all this hardship." - Connor Raeman (men's golf)
"I wanted to dance and I did whatever I had to do to make it happen. I raised enough money and now here I am." - Delani Higgins (field hockey)
6 P.M. - DANCERS ON YOUR FEET!
10 P.M. - JAMES FRANKLIN STOPS BY
SLIDES OF STRENGTH
Considered the only time the dancers are "off their feet," the THON crowd on the floor gives a much needed boost to the Nittany Lion student-athletes.
SATURDAY, FEB. 17 - 11 a.m.
Morning check in with a few Nittany Lion dancers!
FOOTBALL THON EXPLORERS - 2 p.m.
Penn State welcomed THON's Four Diamonds families through the doors of the Lasch Football building for a fun-filled afternoon of games and ice cream
"This is what Penn State's all about. There's not a better time to be in Happy Valley than during THON. I'm happy they invited me to come back and be involved." - Jesse James
"It's awesome to be able to bring a smile to a kid. The feeling around this building today was so amazing with these kids, high energy. The environment was awesome." - Nate Stupar
ATHLETE HOUR AT THE TENNIS CENTER - 4:15 p.m.
ATHLETE HOUR PEP RALLY - 10 p.m.
Former Penn State NFL Nittany Lions Jesse James (Steelers), Anthony Zettel (Detroit Lions) and Super Bowl Champion Stefen Wisniewski stopped by the athlete hour pep rally.;
SUNDAY, FEB. 18 - MAIL CALL
Inspired by those cheering on the dancers, the Nittany Lions received special messages, notes and packages for motivation headed into the final hours on their feet.