Feb. 20, 2010

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; February 20, 2010 -- The Lasch Football Building was alive with excitement Saturday as more than 40 children tried on helmets and shoulder pads with the Penn State football team as part of The Penn State Dance Marathon and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The 38th annual Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) began Friday in the Bryce Jordan Center. The largest student-run philanthropy in the country, all proceeds raised through THON benefit the Four Diamonds Fund, which supports families with children who are battling cancer at the Hershey Medical Center Penn State's Children's Hospital. The event is the result of a full year of fundraising by Penn State students. More than 700-plus THON dancers will be on their feet for 46 consecutive hours, with THON ending Sunday at 4:00 p.m.

Michael Fuhrman (56) and Jack Crawford (81)

Penn State students have raised more than $60 million for the Four Diamonds Fund since THON began in 1973, including a record $7.5 million in 2009.

The Lasch Building became a dream come true to 17 THON kids and their families. Twenty-nine Nittany Lion football student-athletes served as tour guides for the families. Among them were: safety Drew Astorino (Edinboro), defensive end Jack Crawford (Longport, N.J.), tailback Stephfon Green (Bronx, N.Y.), wide receiver Derek Moye (Rochester), defensive tackle Ollie Ogbu (Staten Island, N.Y.), guard DeOn'tae Pannell (Southfield, Mich.), tailback Evan Royster (Fairfax, Va.), placekicker Collin Wagner (State College), center Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) and wide receiver Graham Zug (Manheim).

The kids and their siblings had an opportunity to visit all parts of the Lasch Building, including the locker, training and weight rooms, the players' lounge, the academic support center, the team auditorium and Coach Joe Paterno's office. The children were able to try on helmets and shoulder pads worn by the players and play pool and foosball.

The THON Make-A-Wish kids also stopped by the several displays of photos of current and former Penn State players that have been inducted into the College or Pro Hall of Fame, were All-Americans or All-Big Ten or are current NFL players. The event ended with ice cream from the Creamery and a photo of all the kids and the Nittany Lions.

"It's awesome," said senior wide receiver Brett Brackett. "It means a lot to us. It's a chance to give back and to take some time to make for a memorable day. The kids are so excited to meet all the players and try on the helmets and the jerseys. It's great to see the kids and the families that come back. The parents tell us their kids talk about coming back here for the weeks and months leading up to THON weekend."

"It's a really good experience," said senior safety Cedric Jeffries. "The kids really look forward to it with everything they're going through. It's a positive experience for them and for us. They really enjoy the locker room experience, trying on the equipment like they are a part of the team."

Nine-year-old Michael Woods was among the THON children who had their wish granted by Make-A-Wish by meeting some of the members of the Penn State football team. "They take us on a tour and we get to see all the players," said Michael, visiting with the team for the fourth consecutive year on THON weekend. "I like to see all of the players. I like this room a lot (Paterno's office)."

"Coming back means we get to see a lot of friends," said Michael's mother, Lisa. "We're close with our adoptive family here. Michael always picks coming to see the football players."

THON will continue through 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the Bryce Jordan Center. Admission is free.

For more information on THON, go to: http://www.thon.org