Penn State Football Coach James Franklin went on stage to speak to the crowd at the Bryce Jordan Center during THON Friday night. Franklin has spoken at THON every year since being hired in 2014.
Last year Franklin, joined on stage by his two daughters and offensive lineman Charlie Shuman, called the dedication by students during THON “unbelievable.” Shuman danced last year and is dancing again in THON 2018.
A few days after the conclusion of last year’s dance marathon, Franklin went on SportsCenter to talk about THON, calling the event “What Penn State is all about.”
.@coachjfranklin joined the @SportsCenter set this AM to talk #THON2017 in the ‘Why We Love Sports’ segmentðŸ”µâšªï¸ https://t.co/PDahjcKoKI
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 23, 2017
Franklin — joined by players Nick Scott and Charlie Shuman, who are both THON dancers this year — took a similar route this year. The trio came out on stage to a resounding “We Are” chant and a pumped up crowd.
“I’m so honored and so blessed to be dancing with all you amazing people,” Scott said. He noted that Franklin, who always makes a “big donation to THON,” gave him $10,000 toward his fundraising goal to be able to dance in THON 2018.
“This year we went out to the Fiesta Bowl and won that championship, and we’re really proud of that. But the reality is, I’m more proud of what’s happening here tonight,” Franklin said. “So proud to be a part of this community, this university, what you guys are doing for the families, what you’re doing for the kids, for pediatric cancer.
‘We are humbled to be a part of it, and I can’t just express to you guys enough, the football program, the coaches, we are so proud to be a part of this community of THON and with you guys. Remember why we do this. We’re doing this for the kids, and to eliminate pediatric cancer!”
Franklin, Scott, and Shuman weren’t on stage long, but received plenty of cheers from the audience.
