Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/797655
represented the football team as a
THON dancer, one of four members of
the Student Athlete Advisory Board to
dance this year. Also on hand for the
second day of the three-day THON were
defensive coordinator Brent Pry and
head coach James Franklin, greeting
THON families and their children at the
Lasch Building alongside players.
Defensive end Ryan Buchholz said
players relish the opportunity to be part
of the THON activities. He said that
when a sign-up sheet was posted in the
weight room during a lifting period,
people "just went running over to go
sign up" for the Explorers program.
"They only needed like 50 guys and I
think we got more than that," Buchholz
added. "Everyone wanted to be a part of
it and do it because it's really fun for the
kids and for us."
Cornerback Grant Haley said that
whether they're offering an autograph or
simply spending time with kids who idol-
ize the Nittany Lions, players are thrilled
to have the opportunity to give back.
"I think it means a lot to us, and it
means a lot to them as well," Haley said.
"Being able to be a part of their lives,
just impacting them for just one day,
even if it's for two hours, it means so
much to them and their families. I'm so
glad we have a great group of guys that
came out and supported this process."
This year's THON, the 45th since the
event's inception, raised more than $10
million for the fight against pediatric
cancer. The Student-Athlete Advisory
Board raised $59,679, the fifth-highest
total of THON's 400-plus General Or-
ganizations.
In addition to Shuman, the SAAB
dancers were Carly Celkos (field
hockey), Jessica O'Neill-Lyublinsky
(women's fencing) and Megan Schafer
(women's soccer).
Along with the dancers and several
committee members, numerous other
student-athletes participated in Student-
Athlete Hour and the Pep Rally. A record
18 teams danced in the Pep Rally, which is
one of the highlight events during THON.
The men's gymnastics team was selected
the Pep Rally winner. –NATE BAUER
A