Saturday night's THON pep rally was billed as a whiteout. The whiteout failed, but not much else about the spectacle did especially the Men's Gymnastics squad who won the event, ending football's two year reign of dominance.
Bill O'Brien will not coach a meaningful football game for six and a half months. Results on the field will ultimately define his legacy, but in the meantime, O'Brien has the public relations part down perfectly. One night after introducing his coaching staff at halftime and promising that "Penn State would make people proud next fall," O'Brien appeared at his first THON.
To many people reading this, the following tips will likely not apply to you. You're probably well-versed in THON culture and know exactly waht to do and expect this weekend; however, for all the THON gurus out there, there are also a few newcomers. Perhaps families (like mine) driving up to see it for the first time, friends from home visiting a dancer, and some freshmen witnessing their first THON inside the Bryce Jordan Center.
The Joe We Know, a film exploring the vast impact Joe Paterno's Grand Experiment as told by more than 70 Penn State Lettermen will premiere publicly this Sunday with 1 and 4:30 p.m. showing at the State Theatre.
Imagine THON in the twenty first century without a website. What would happen with the committee applications, online fundraising, and frequently asked questions? That is a scary thought, but thanks to the Technology Committee that is not a problem.
On February 20, 2011, a filled to capacity Bryce Jordan Center crowed erupted when the THON 2011 total was revealed: $9, 563,016.09. The Donor and Alumni Relations committee is responsible for maintaining and (hopefully) increasing this number every year by making sure all donors are individually thanked and have a positive experience when it comes to donating to THON.