Saturday’s game at Beaver Stadium between Penn State and Indiana will be ‘Generations of Greatness‘ day, celebrating elements of history and traditions for the Nittany Lion football program from throughout the years.
The game also will continue a tradition of its own. It’s the annual THON game, both benefiting and shining an even brighter spotlight on the world’s largest student-run philanthropy.
Fifty percent of proceeds from tickets purchased through this link with the promo code THON17 will go to THON and its year-round efforts to support the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center for pediatric cancer patient care and research.
As Penn Staters and many others well know, THON raises millions each year ($10 million in 2017 alone), culminating in the 46-hour Dance Marathon in February, and has brought in nearly $150 million since partnering with Four Diamonds 40 years ago.
Still, the yearly THON game puts the organization and its cause not only in front of 100,000 fans at Beaver Stadium, but also millions watching on a nationally-televised broadcast who may not be familiar with THON.
‘THON Football is an incredible way to bring attention to this organization from an audience that may not know much about it,’ said Jessica Buchanan, THON 2018 athletic events captain. ‘We are able to bring two Penn State traditions together as one to continue the effort to fight childhood cancer. It is also an amazing way to show the united force of Penn State Athletics and THON.’
A noticeable symbol in the stadium will be in the south end zone, where part of the student section will don white and gold shirts to form a gold ribbon, which represents pediatric cancer awareness. It will be next to the block ‘S’ formed each game in the S-Zone.
At halftime information about THON will be announced and the organization’s executive committee will be on the field with a THON family holding up signs.
And of course, there are the ticket sales that will ultimately benefit the fight against pediatric cancer.
‘It is a very special event because of not only the attention that it brings to the organization, but also because of the fundraising through ticket sales,’ Buchanan said. ‘We are able to generate awareness and raise money all in one incredible event.’ ]
Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
