Penn State Football: Former Nittany Lions Take Part In THON Tour

A handful of former Nittany Lions took part in a Lasch Building tour on Saturday afternoon as THON children and their families got a taste of what it’s like to be a Penn State football player.

Among those participating including Anthony Zettel, Nate Stupar and now NFL Super Bowl winner Stefen Wisniewski of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Families were given an all-access look at the football facility seeing everything from the weight room to the locker room, offices and more. With arts and crafts stations and decorations galore, Penn State football felt more like another wing of the ongoing THON festivities than the home of a football team just a few weeks from spring practice.

Unfortunately new NCAA rules prevented current Penn State players from participating in the event due to what Penn State called a paperwork issue. Players had participated in the past under different rules.

According to a Penn State spokesperson:

‘New NCAA time management legislation went into effect earlier this year and there was a misunderstanding on the type of internal paperwork that needed to be filed in order for the football student-athletes to participate in the Explorers program even on Saturday. Football squad members will be able to participate in the THON athlete hour and pep rally later on Saturday.’

The new rule mandates off-days away from the building after a certain amount of hours student-athletes spend working out, practicing or inside the facility. It’s safe to assume any paperwork errors won’t happen come 2019.

Nevertheless between athlete hour, a pep rally and a handful of former Nittany Lions showing off the Lasch Building, it’s safe to say that the smiles and laughs were no less than any year prior.

THON is scheduled to conclude on Sunday afternoon as dancers continue their marathon late into a second straight night.

Superhero theme = #THON2018 #FTK#WeAre pic.twitter.com/60fygaySab

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 17, 2018