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Posted on 02/21/2004 12:18:13 PM PST by FlJoePa
| Posted on Sat, Feb. 21, 2004 | ||||||||||||||
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UNIVERSITY PARK - Fans packed the bleachers, supporting their teams with loud cheering and homemade banners and signs.
Cheerleaders roamed the floor, ready to motivate the players. There was even a mascot making its way through the crowd.
The 48-hour Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon kicked off Friday night in Rec Hall with all the fervor of a major sporting event. It didn't matter that the fans in the bleachers were actually rooting on the more than 700 student dancers, not athletes.
And it didn't matter that the role of the cheerleaders was played by students in bright yellow T-shirts, or members of the Morale Committee. Or that the mascot was a giant cookie representing Eat 'N Park, not the Phillie Phanatic or the Nittany Lion.
"It's kind of like the action before a big game, but it's unlike anything I've experienced before," said dancer Dane Schlenke. "I'm pretty excited."
In many ways, Thon is a sporting event. The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, it's the Super Bowl of charity events, the World Cup of fund raising.
And a team of dancers annually unites to fight the opponent -- cancer.
Thon benefits the Four Diamonds Fund, an organization that helps central Pennsylvania children fight cancer through emotional and financial support for them and their families.
Many of those families were in attendance Friday.
John and Barb Palm, of Lancaster County, attended with their children, Kelsey, 12, Erin, 8, and Michael, 6. Michael was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August but has been doing well, his parents said.
John Palm said the family was at Thon because other Four Diamonds families told them it was an event not to be missed.
"The dedication and all their hard work is amazing," Barb Palm said of the students.
There was clearly no lack of enthusiasm among the dancers, including Schlenke. He and his fellow teammates from Springfield House (a floor in Simmons Hall) wore shirts with names on the back denoting some of the Four Diamonds child's favorite things -- "The Hulk" and "Thomas the Tank" (a character from the children's show "Shining Time Station"). Schlenke and another teammate also had the Four Diamonds emblem shaved into the back of their heads.
But in case the dancers were lacking for motivation, they were treated to videos before kickoff of famous songs and movie scenes about dancing.
As radio favorite Outkast's "Hey Ya" played, clips of movies "Old School," "Animal House" and "Chicago" flashed across the huge video screens. The Penn State Dance Team then performed routines to Britney Spears' "Toxic" and "Me Against the Music."
Just before the official kickoff, Thon's overall chairman, Adam Duff, took the stage.
"All right, guys, we got a little bit of dancing to do tonight," Duff said. "And tomorrow. And Sunday."
After a countdown, the 32nd Thon was officially ushered in with the techno hit "This is Your Night."
Quite possibly Thon's biggest fan, Charles Millard, co-founder of the Four Diamonds Fund, was in attendance Friday night. He said the event continues to amaze him.
Millard and his wife, Irma, created the fund in 1972 to help families with the financial burden that comes with battling cancer.
They named the organization for their son, Chris, who died of cancer at age 14.
The Millards live in Washington, but Charles Millard has visited Thon almost every year since their move.
He said people often ask him if he expected the fund to grow and help as many people as it has (more than 2,000 families have been aided since 1972).
"My answer is 'Yes,' because when you start something, you want it to succeed," Millard said. "But it's astounding."
For anyone not familiar with "Thon", it is the largest run student philanthropy in the world and has raised nearly $30 million since it's inception.
These kids literally dance their butts off for 48 straight hours - no sitting, no resting. Those that have done it have told me that there are times they want to quit and just go home - but then they think of the kids that need some help and they get their second wind.
If you care to help out, visit their homepage at: PSU Thon 2004
Michaela Mease, 8, of Lancaster, shuts her eyes and laughs as bubbles she was blowing break near her face. Mease, who has Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, was playing during the THON kickoff Friday night.
Dylan Moser, 4, of Reading, plays with a red balloon during the Thon kickoff Friday night. Moser is currently being treated for leukemia.
Dancers learn the THON dance Friday night
THON dancer Tony Rauso shaved 4 diamonds onto the top of his head because THON benefits the Four Diamonds Fund.
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