Latest news with #Thon
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pat Kraft discusses Beaver Stadium, Thon and NIL in first address since December
UNIVERSITY PARK (Nittany Nation) — Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft met with reporters Monday for the first time since the Big Ten Championship in December. He spoke for about 40 minutes diving deep on topics like NIL, College Football Playoff expansion, and even Thon. Above is Kraft's full press conference, while below we highlight some of the key topics. On ThonThis weekend Penn State's annual dance marathon, known simply as 'Thon,' raised a record $17.7 million for pediatric cancer research and care. It's an annual spectacle Pat Kraft says is overwhelming. 'It's been my third year, it's actually quite overwhelming, to be honest with you, but, $17.7 million is like, what are we talking about? That's amazing…. To see what they do in a year, the dancers and I just want to make sure that I just thank them for what they do. For so many people, it kind of puts what we do in perspective.' On NILNIL was hands-down the biggest part of Monday's conversation and is the hardest part to summarize. Kraft spoke about changing the language around it, calling it 'marketing' rather than NIL. He discussed how teams have to pay players 'fair market value' and how the new revenue-sharing model, which allows schools to share up to $20.5 million with their athletes, impacts schools' ability to obtain and keep players. 'In this new system, you're going to have to show fair market value. And this is where the power of Penn State is a huge asset, because fair market value for the starting quarterback at Penn State is pretty good. And we've got to lean into that' On scholarship caps and roster limitsOne of the lesser talked about changes in college athletics is the repeal of scholarship limits. While the NCAA will enforce roster sizes, schools can choose how many of those athletes are on scholarship. This will allow teams like Penn State wrestling, which currently has 9.9 available scholarships, to reach more athletes across the country. 'The greatest wrestling program in the world has 9.9 scholarships? As we sit here today. So let that sink in for a minute. And so we have the ability now to not only help our teams, and in the space of rev share, but also put a lot more of our student athletes, if we do it right and we raise the right amount of money, on scholarship.' On CFP expansionThe Big Ten and SEC met last week to discuss further expansion of the College Football Playoffs. While much of the conversation has remained behind doors, it's no secret that there is already interest in moving from 12 to 14 or 16 teams, something Kraft is open to, but he has concerns about an already messy college football calendar. 'I'm open to anything. I don't think it's a bad thing to go to 14 and 16. The more teams in and the more kind of tournament you have, I think it's great. We've got to continue to look at all the other aspects of that. If you have 16, what are we going to play into like March? You go into February? My football players do go to class. They do go to school. So what are we doing? And so I think we have to understand the bigger impact to that.' 'I don't have the answer, but I do know it's being discussed. I think it's looked at. I think we have to look at it. But I'm not opposed to 14 or 16. I just want to know more about what is that whole calendar look like.' On Katie Schumacher-Cawley winning a volleyball National Championship while battling cancerPenn State volleyball won the 2024 NCAA Volleyball Championship this season as head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley battled breast cancer. Pat Kraft says Katie embodies strength and toughness. 'I don't know if you all can understand how difficult that was for her. And her fight is not over. And we're going to continue.' 'What she did, I'll never forget it, and her at Thon on this weekend was is just emotional and thinking through it. And, puts in perspective everything puts in perspective everything that all of us I know have been walked up to it.' On Beaver Stadium's renovationPenn State is in the midst of a $700 million renovation to Beaver Stadium. This winter, the upper west grandstands and press box came down leaving a gap that Kraft says will be filled in with temporary seating this fall. 'If you go to the Waste Management [Phoenix Open] they build that stadium around the lake. Those are the folks that are doing the production…. There will be bleachers. I think it's 7,400 or in that space. We're looking to even, you know, seeing if we can add more seats to that. It'll look very temporary.' 'I'll just give everyone a heads up, the spring game is going to be a little interesting. And by interesting, I really don't know what it's gonna look like. We're expanding the east side concourse, so we're doubling the east main concourse, and I've got to hit a mark of that Nevada game.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Penn State's Thon sets new record, raises more than $17M to help fight childhood cancer
Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon broke another fundraising record this year, raising $17,737,040.93 toward the fight against pediatric cancer. The 2025 total was revealed Sunday afternoon, after more than 700 dancers inside the Bryce Jordan Center sat down for the first time in 46 hours. As each number was revealed for the yearlong fundraising effort, the BJC erupted in cheers — from the thousands of students on the floor to the crowds packing the arena. This year's efforts beat the $16.95 million raised in 2024 by nearly $800,000. It makes more than $250 million raised by Thon since 1977. Thon's sole beneficiary is Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey, and the money raised ensures that families never see a medical bill or the financial burden of cancer, Thon's website states. Donations also help fund cancer research. The first night of Thon was headlined by the Grammy-nominated band The Fray, playing hits like 'Look After You' and 'How to Save a Life.' Joe King, the lead singer, raised the spirits of the dancers three hours into the event. 'It's an incredible, incredible cause — we are thankful to be here to participate in this incredible moment,' he told the crowd on Friday night. On the second day, the pep rally and the kids and teen's talent show were among highlights. 'Thon is more than just a weekend, it's a lifestyle that brings us together,' Sam Coffey, a Penn State alum who's an Olympic gold medalist and National Women's Soccer League player, said in a video message to the BJC. Later on Saturday night, dancers received a total of 20,938 letters from family and friends. Every dancer got at least one letter, for the biggest total in the event's history. Sunday featured the emotional 'family hour' where Thon families share their stories, before dancers were told at 4 p.m. that they could finally sit. The total reveal also included the organizations and individuals that raised the most money toward the Thon 2025 total. The independent couple that raised the most was Brooke and Jordan Petrone, with more than $51,000 raised. The commonwealth campus that raised the most was Fayette, with $76,046.43. The general organization that raised the most was Phi Gamma Nu with $269,881.89. The Greek organization that raised the most was Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha, with $529,003.97. The special interest organization that raised the most was Atlas with a total of $224,275.80. The committee that raised the most was Thon Family Relations.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Penn State's 46-hour Thon already full of memories, surprises as event inches toward conclusion
Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the annual 46-hour no-sitting dance marathon to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer, took off Friday — and has so far been filled with memorable moments. Although the event that's happened annually since 1973 won't reveal the money raised until it ends 4 p.m. Sunday, more than 700 participants converged at the Bryce Jordan Center starting 6 p.m. Friday. And, if anyone needed a reminder for why they were there, the annual line dance was announced the first day and included the lyrics, 'Remember who you are dancing for.' As the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, Thon benefits the Four Diamonds Fund and helps pediatric cancer patients and their families at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. 'I've grown up in State College. My whole life I've been surrounded by Penn State, so I've grown up hearing about Thon, this huge event,' said Sruthi Ramesh, who is taking part as a dancer representing Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional co-ed business fraternity with more than 100 active members. 'As a high school student in the school district, we were super involved in Thon. We would donate, but I never really got to see it as a student and get to be in the environment. 'Coming to Penn State as a freshman and getting to see Thon (for the first time) really changed the way I viewed Thon, even though I grew up with it my whole life.' The senior took part into the dance relations committee during her first involvement with Thon. Ramesh enjoyed being part of the committee since she was able to collaborate in the event. 'I joined Alpha Kappa Psi and I was able to stand with them in the stands for Final Four,' Ramesh said, referring to the final four hours of last year's Thon. 'It was really just this amazing moment to get to see Penn State come together as one. After that, I was like 'I would love to be getting more involved for HSI and be THON chair.' So, I was Thon chair my junior year, and then obviously, now I get the privilege and honor of dancing for Psi as a senior.' The student was able to visit Penn State Hershey before the event because organizations are able to follow two families throughout the year. Ramesh said she was 'genuinely so honored and thrilled' with the experience. The first hours of the event were highlighted by The Fray's performance. The Grammy-nominated band encouraged the dancers and spectators to sing along with hits like 'How to Save a Life' and 'Over My Head.' Thon's second day was no different, keeping the energy as high as the first day. When asked about her favorite moment, Ramesh didn't hesitate. 'I would say this year has been getting to see my organization up in the stands cheering all of our six dancers on,' Ramesh said. 'It's truly so exciting to get to see every single person there, jumping, dancing, having so much fun up in the stands, because they're really here to support us. It's just amazing to see that support in general.' One of the highlights of the second day was the kid and teen's talent show. One of the Four Diamond kids, Melaina Horan, shook up the Bryce Jordan Center by performing a dance to Penn State's fight song. To end the daily performances, Penn State student-athletes participated in the annual pep rally Saturday night. The presentation started with a performance from the Blue Band, with Blue Sapphire at the forefront. Not long after, Thon organizers took the stage to announce that the Bryce Jordan Center reached its full capacity. Former Penn State football quarterback Trace McSorley was one of the surprises of the night, but he wasn't the only one. University President Neeli Bendapudi and Athletic Director Pat Kraft took the stage to say supportive words to the dancers. Through pre-recorded videos, Penn State alums Stephen Nedoroscik ('Pommel Horse Guy'), professional women's soccer player Sam Coffey and Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley showed support to the dancers and the cause. It was not only athletes who participated in the pep rally. Women's volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who announced she beat cancer in the beginning of the month, was there alongside her national champion team. 'This is bigger than winning a national championship,' Schumacher-Cawley said. 'I'm so proud and I am so happy to be a Penn Stater.'
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
THON providing hope to families fighting pediatric cancer
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — THON's 46-hour dance marathon provides many families an avenue of hope when it comes to financing their child's cancer expenses. For the Hoglund family, being beneficiaries of the philanthropic event means even more.. David and Andrea Hoglund are alumni of Penn State University, with Andrea dancing in years prior when it was placed in Rec Hall. Their son, Branson, was diagnosed with early Ewing's Sarcoma in his right tibia. They discovered the cancer after Branson was playing in the backyard with their dog, and a collision between the two caused a continuous limp in his leg. After Hershey Medical Center saw some scans, they called the family in to deliver the bad news. 'It's very shocking to hear that in all the news that he has cancer,' David said. Branson would go on to have multiple rounds of chemotherapy and an 11-and-a-half-hour surgery before ringing the bell on June 21, 2023. He spent nearly nine months in a wheelchair before progressing to forearm crutches. Now, he walks on his own. Over their time in and out of hospitals, the Four Diamonds Foundation helped out with their expenses. These funds were raised through dancers like Drew Lojewski, who danced through Phi Beta Lambda, the organization sponsoring Branson during Thon. 'His life is fundamentally changed,' Lojewski said. 'He's been on a wheelchair team for years, and now he's finally able to walk again in a tent with us. That's truly special and working with such a great family like them. He's such a great kid and has such a great sense of humor.' 'Four Diamonds stepped in and they knew who to contact, how to fill out the forms, what to do and guided us along,' Andrea said. 'Plus, they give you vouchers for food because we lived at the hospital for almost a year. We didn't really, but we were there a lot, guys, because we were coming back and forth all the time. They step in and just handle everything.' The relationship between Phi Beta Lambda and the Hoglund family has grown in the three years they have known each other. From Penn State Football tailgates to Mario Kart tournaments, their bond grows deep between the two parties. 'They write me all the time and check in, and they send birthday wishes or they send messages to him and, just all kinds of fun things,' Andrea added. 'But they're also just really caring and really willing to step in and be there for us and have supported us throughout. It's been great to see them as a whole bunch of older brothers and sisters now.' Branson, an only child, now has multiple older siblings to have fun with at PBL. 'I feel like I suddenly have a whole bunch of college students that I'm the mom to now,' Andrea added. 'We want to see the direct impact we have on these families,' Lojewski said. Stories like the Hoglunds' are just small data points of a much larger pool of stories other students dance for. The microcosms in each story all lead to one bigger idea to fight cancer for the kids, a message synonymous to dancers on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center. 'Everybody comes together,' Owen Haddad, an independent THON dancer said. 'To me, when I think of 'We Are Penn State', this is one of the best examples of that.' 'It means the world that they're willing to give up their time and spend their effort so they could be studying, going out with friends, girlfriends or boyfriends,' Abby Clark, a THON Dancer for Atlas said. 'But they're spending that time working towards ending child cancer.' After seeing THON from the philanthropist side of the event, positive karma has swung its way back around to help Andrea and her family. 'It was full circle in some ways,' she added. 'Not a circle we hoped to be in that. But if we have to be here, we are forever grateful that we had to do it with Four Diamonds.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Penn State's Thon weekend 2025 has arrived. Here's a look inside the Bryce Jordan Center
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon officially started at 6 p.m. Friday, with more than 700 dancers now on their feet inside the Bryce Jordan Center to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer. Thon ends on Sunday afternoon, but in the 46 hours of the event there will be musical performances, a pep rally, the student-created line dance each hour and much more — all 'FTK' (For the Kids). Friday's event started in an unusual way, when fire alarms sounded multiple times a little more than an hour into Thon. The music briefly stopped playing, but the building was not evacuated and a Thon representative told the crowd that there was no emergency. Later on Friday, rock band The Fray took the BJC stage as the surprise national act. Penn State's Thon is annually recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world. Each year, it raises millions of dollars to fight pediatric cancer by supporting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey. Those funds — nearly $17 million was raised last year alone — benefit cancer research efforts and help cover medical bills for families whose children have pediatric cancer. To watch Thon live through the weekend, visit Below is a look at scenes from inside the BJC in the first hours of Thon on Friday evening. Thon donations are accepted year-round before officials reveal the annual fundraising total shortly after dancers finally sit Sunday afternoon. Supporters can donate online at
