Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

THON Color Wars: Lighthearted Competition Brings Dancers, DRCMs Together

A little healthy competition never hurt, especially when 16,500 THON volunteers pack the BJC to spend 46 hours together on the floor.

THON’s Color Wars competition, which pits teams of Dancer Relations Committee members (DRCMs) and their dancers against each other in a battle for points before and during THON, has become the perfect opportunity over the years for the two groups to interact and play games.

But it can mean much more to those involved in its lighthearted contests. It has evolved into the chance for dancers and volunteers to bond and play while reminding themselves of the purpose of THON.

Accounts differ as to when the first Color War was declared, but according to the Daily Collegian archives, it became a predominant part of THON in 2003.

This year’s Color Wars divided teams up into four colors — Red, Bue, Green and Purple. The competition begins about a week before dancers stand, and concludes during THON Weekend. This year’s winner, the Green team, stole the Color Wars crown from Purple.

The Dancer Relations Committee uses the competition as a way to incentivize committee members to get as involved as possible and motivate them leading up to THON weekend. After dancers are assigned to their corresponding DRCMs, the competition allows the two parties to bond and get to know each other.

Dancers earn points by participating in different activities and playing games like Ninja, Ships, and Sailors. Committee members can earn points by organizing lunch dates within their organization and showing up to different THON-themed sporting events throughout the year, among other point-notching activities.

Dancer Relations Director Tim Seydel spends the weekend ensuring the safety of THON’s dancers, but also organizes and orchestrates team building activities like Color Wars.

Color Wars allows participants to “facilitate different interactions where you automatically have a common bond with someone just by automatically having the same color for Color Wars,” he said.

He added that although he’s not positive who the all-time Color Wars winner is, he’s been successful when chosen as a member of Purple.

Seydel became involved with THON through the influence of his older sister Emily, who suggested that he apply for a Dancer Relations position.

“Whether its playing with a kid and shooting them with a water pistol, giving them a piggy back ride, or even giving a dancer a piggy back ride, just for me the selfless aspect and awareness of its not about me, its about taking care of and supporting other people,” he said.

Just like every other THON weekend activity, Color Wars is still very FTK-focused. Four Diamonds families are welcome to join in any games that dancers play, and can choose what team they want to award points.

“We want the families to have the freedom to represent their organization. So whether their dancers are part of one organization and they’re Purple, they can choose to give all their points to purple,” Seydel said.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Ryen Gailey

Ryen is a senior early childhood education major from "right outside of Philly" - or in exact words, from 23.0 miles outside of Philly. She loves all things Penn State and has been a huge Penn State gal since before she could walk. Send her pictures of puppies, or hate mail at [email protected]

[Photo Story] Elevated Views From Happy Valley

Our photographers looked down and saw the world below from a handful of elevated vantage points.

Penn State’s Restorative Justice Initiative Offering Bachelor’s Degrees To Incarcerated Individuals

The program will allow incarcerated persons to work toward a degree while in prison.

WBIT Creating Newfound Attention For Women’s College Basketball

The Lady Lions are headed to the semifinals after an energetic win in the last home game of the season.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Ryen

A Letter To Your Teacher On The Last Day Of School: Ryen Gailey’s Senior Column

“Whatever comes next, I just hope it brings me a fraction of the joy I’ve experienced in the last four years. After all, life is better off with a smile when you’re dancing like nobody’s watching.”

Trustee Candidate Barbara Doran Seeks To Help Penn State ‘Soar To New Heights’

Penn State To Host Class Of 2020 Commencement Weekend Events Starting April 29