The Penn State Crew Club is getting into the spirit of THON, as they plan to spend 46 hours FTK this weekend. Instead of dancing, however, the club’s members will do what they do best — rowing.

The team, made up of 55 rowers and coxswains, will participate in an erg relay benefiting THON, called “Power 46 FTK.” Starting at 12:00 p.m. on Friday and concluding at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, the fan on the rowing machine will not stop turning for 46 hours. Individually, these team members will row anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half over the course of the marathon.

The club reached out to parents, families, and alumni of the team for donations. Donors can donate a lump sum, pledge money per meter rowed, or by the amount of time rowed (either by an individual rower or the team as a whole). After the event is over on Sunday, a final tally of meters and time rowed will be sent to current rowers, alumni, and parents.

Cassia Calia and Amanda Hendrix are co-THON chairs for the team and have worked to coordinate the event since August.

According to Hendrix, who danced in THON last year, they came up with the idea last year. “The inspiration came last summer when we were competing at Club Nationals and talked to other teams that have held erg-a-THONs to raise funds for their team, along with various other causes. This instantly lit a spark for our team to do something similar, except we will be benefiting THON (thus the significance of 46 hours).”

Calia and Chris Lee will represent Club Crew on the floor this year as dancers. Both the dancers and the team appreciate any and all support people are able to give as they row 46 FTK. With less than a month to go until Penn State dances at the Bryce Jordan Center, the final push for funds begins.