FTK: A Look Behind Penn State Football’s Commitment to THON

The Whiteout, BJC wrestling duals, graduation weekend, and THON. Events like these have taken a near folkloric aura on Penn State’s community calendar. They are moments when it feels like the entire campus pauses in reverence for what is occurring.

Each event has its own unique characteristics. But none carries the societal significance as does the 46-hour dance marathon. This year’s THON was another success, with $15,006,132 raised to help fight pediatric cancer. 

Even the behemoth that is Penn State football stops for THON. On Saturday, the football program held its annual THON Explorers Program inside the Lasch Building. We were invited inside to help capture the sights and sounds of what will become a lifelong memory for the THON children and their families.

A “Football Adventure”

Usually the headquarters for a college football power, the Lasch Building was transformed into a carnival Saturday. Streamers, balloons, and games were spread throughout, all following the theme of a “Football Adventure.”

So much is expected of these 18- to 22-year-old men that, at times, we can forget that they are really still kids themselves. On Saturday, we saw many Nittany Lions let their inner child out.

Hunter Nourzad, touted for his versatility on the offensive line, decided to try a new style of face paint. In media availability, Olu Fashanu applauded Nourzad’s intelligence in the switch to center this offseason. No word on if the new look will be carried over with him.

@NourzadHunter taking face paint to a whole new level pic.twitter.com/nTqV04CCGT

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 18, 2023

Watching the offensive linemen on the ping pong table was one of the most entertaining spectacles. There’s a reason the best linemen in the NFL attract massive paydays. Only so many humans on planet earth can be that large and maintain speed and agility. Drew Shelton took a break from pancaking defenders on the field to show that he also has a lighter touch. 

Big man, soft touch@drewshelt7 pic.twitter.com/HcSzwaHbvq

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 18, 2023

And yes, Drew Allar got in on the fun as well. If he wasn’t cheering on the THON kids at the shuffleboard table, the former five-star quarterback was showing that his pocket presence extends well beyond the football field.

QB1’s pocket presence extends well beyond the football field pic.twitter.com/RWsh6hQ7Ck

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 18, 2023

Creating a Great Memory

Fun aside, many players understand the impact that they can have on the lives of children suffering from cancer.

While recognizing that they still have a job to do, wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith said that it would be “selfish” of the team not to dedicate this time to the THON kids. He stressed the importance of overcoming the daily grind of being a college football player and making an impact.

“I take pride in giving the kids a great memory – a once-in-a-lifetime memory,” Lambert-Smith said. “It’s a great experience overall.”

“I take pride in giving the kids a great memory.”@drelambertt on his experience with the @THON families pic.twitter.com/qVJ9UsEd5n

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) February 19, 2023

In a way, the experience is also special for the players. A college football season can take its toll, even one as successful as the 2022 season for Penn State. There is minimal downtime. Having the opportunity to stop and reconnect with the community goes just as far for some players as it does for those invited into Lasch. 

“Anytime we can get time away from football and just [be] around other people socially, it’s always good,” cornerback Kalen King said. “To have visitors – especially kids – it’s definitely a benefit for us.”

For the Kids

Of course, having an event like this and not discussing football is hard. It’s the elephant in the room – especially when those rooms are in the football building.

Overall, this team feels it has something to prove in 2023. Even a day like Saturday doesn’t distract from that ultimate goal.

“Going to the Rose Bowl was great…but we know we can go much farther than that,” offensive tackle Olu Fashanu said when asked why he decided to return to Penn State.

But it’s a long off-season. And honestly, football discussions can wait. In the coming days, we will continue to break down all the football-related news and notes from our time with the players on Saturday.

Football is important. It’s why I write, and why many of you come to Basic Blues Nation. But this weekend is about something more. This weekend is For the Kids.

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