Whether you’re attending your first THON or you’ve gone to THON four years in a row, you have seen the different colored shirts throughout the Bryce Jordan Center. What does each mean anyway? We’ve got you covered.

Communications

Anyone you see wearing a kelly green THON t-shirt is most likely a part of the Communications Committee. They are described as “the primary liaison to THON volunteers within the Penn State University community” and mostly work on the concourse, staffing the information booths to answer any questions attendees might have throughout the weekend. 

Entertainment

These committee members can be seen running around the BJC in orange shirts, keeping the crowd entertained with performers and games. They’re also the ones who run all of the games, giveaways, and things dancers can do on the floor. They are also known for putting together the National Act, which is one of the most anticipated moments of THON when a nationally recognized artist takes the BJC stage.

Outside of THON weekend, they also coordinate entertainment for all of the other events, like the THON 5K and 100 Days ’til THON.

Public Relations

During your time at THON, you’ll probably see a whole lot of purple THON shirts, which are the committee members for Public Relations. The Public Relations committee has two sectors within the committee, Digital Content and Media Management.

Media Management acts as the middleman for media requests and acts as a liaison between dancers, committee members, other various THON participants, and the world watching.

Digital Content is all the photographers, videographers, and other production members you may see throughout the floor and concourse. They help bring the feeling of THON to everyone, whether you’re at the BJC or at home watching from social media.

Rules and Regulations

It’s hard to miss all those red shirts that appear throughout the BJC, whether that’s on the floor, concourse, or the stands. Rules and Regulations, or more commonly known as R&R, has two branches: Event Safety and Fundraising Safety. They’re known for helping maintain safety for everyone throughout the weekend.

Some of the responsibilities of R&R are checking in all THON participants in and out of the BJC, manning each of the portals that lead to the seats, and ensuring everyone in the arena is following THON rules (no sitting down).

Dancer Relations

Unless you’re a dancer, you’ll likely have rare interactions with these committee members. Dancer Relations, previously known as Morale, is focused on the well-being of the dancers. This was the first official committee for THON. Leading up to THON, these committee members are trained to help dancers with their physical and mental health. This includes knowing the proper stretches or how to help a dancer if they’re unwell.

DCRMs are matched with their dancers through a survey in THON’s internal portal to ensure the pairs are compatible. The survey matches dancers and committee members based on interest and hobbies, because who wants to spend hours upon hours with someone you don’t have anything in common with?

OPPerations

Operations, or OPP for short, are the navy blue t-shirts and are responsible for space maintenance. These committee members help set up the BJC prior to and after THON weekend and aid in general upkeep.

Although they don’t have the most glamorous job, OPP is vital to keeping THON clean and attempting to improve the health and sanitation of a venue that is housing tens of thousands of people for nearly two-straight days.

Special Events

These burgundy shirt fellows’ purpose is described as “to inspire, inform, and unite the THON community by developing and continuing a variety of events to spread the spirit of THON year-round.” Before THON weekend happens, Special Events is responsible for events supporting THON, including the THON 5k, 100 Days ‘Til THON, the Family Carnival, and THON Showcase.

When it comes to THON weekend, these committee members help run the concession stands at the BJC and coordinate parking. They also create and run the THON History Tour and THON Museum.

Supply Logistics

This smaller committee can be seen on the BJC concourse at the ‘garage sale’ or raffle. This committee is responsible for acquiring all in-kind donations for all THON Events and THON Weekend. 

Finance

This committee does much of the behind-the-scenes work during THON weekend. Those in forest green t-shirts are responsible for keeping track of the money being raised over the course of the year and weekend. They’re also in charge of accurately keeping track of all the information and data organized in order to accurately rank the organization’s fundraising totals and finalize the THON total raised, which is released Sunday afternoon.

Merchandise

You’ll likely run into those wearing light pink at the merch stand and around the concourse. Merchandise oversees THON Store operations, both in-person and online, hold sale year-round, makes the apparel for the volunteers, and designs new products throughout the year. Their goal is to also add to the weekend’s fundraising total by selling THON swag throughout the year.

Donor and Alumni Relations

This committee has two branches: Donor and Alumni Relations Engagement and Donor and Alumni Relations Development. Those engagement branches educate the Penn State alumni community about fundraising opportunities year-round. They work to maintain THON’s relationship with thousands of Penn State alumni and donors nsuring that all donors are individually thanked and are having an overall positive THON donation experience.

The development branch’s main goal is to grow the donor base and maintain, or hopefully increase, the THON total year after year. They are also responsible for making sure that all of the different organizations are following THON’s fundraising rules throughout the season.

During THON weekend, those in royal blue also help run alumni tours throughout the weekend. During these, they show them the ins and outs of the event so they know exactly what their money is going toward.

Hospitality

These committee members help by working with donors both within and outside of the State College community to obtain and serve food and beverage donations at THON events. During THON weekend, they are responsible for providing food, beverages, and other amenities to Four Diamonds families, THON volunteers, dancers, and captains for the duration of their stay on the floor. 

Technology

This committee helps all organizations and committees by providing software solutions and tech support throughout the week. Tech is responsible for building and maintaining all of THON’s online infrastructure, which is used by volunteers, organizations, families, and donors alike. This infrastructure allows for THON to interact with people from each committee and many different parts of the university.