UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A game of Jenga on the opposite end of the field ignited laughs from junior punter Riley Thompson while sophomore offensive linemen Jven Williams and Anthony Donkoh played tag with kids.
The events at Holuba Hall and Bryce Jordan Center upheld the symbolic Penn State culture as the 46-hour dance marathon culminated in a record-breaking $16,955,683.63 raised for Four Diamonds. The THON 2024 theme of "Treasure Every Adventure" was on full display and allowed redshirt junior linebacker Dom DeLuca to rekindle his mini-THON experiences from high school and share how "it's an honor" to give back to the kids.
"Just how giving back to everything, not just THON or athletics, just everything with Penn State," DeLuca said. The alumni, just all the connections you get and how they all come together just for this big event and it's awesome and just doing it for the kids is a great deal."
DeLuca recalled his first THON during his freshman year in 2021 when he took part in the annual pep rally dance. He shared the floor with teammates and remembered the packed BJC crowd as a "special" environment.
The West Pittston, Pennsylvania, product roamed from station-to-station on Saturday and interacted with as many kids as he could. "Just any way we can give back and help out these kids make sure they have the best day of their lives here and anything we can do for them, we're happy to do," DeLuca said.
Sophomore running back Nick Singleton and a number of his teammates embraced the THON events and spent time playing parachute with the kids. Singleton, redshirt junior offensive lineman Nolan Rucci, redshirt senior defensive tackle Hakeem Beamon and a whole host of Nittany Lions launched the parachute skyward and watched as THON kids sprinted to the opposite end before it dropped.
Singleton shared he loves "giving back" and how his interactions with the THON kids gave him a fresh perspective on life. The Shillington, Pennsylvania, native was uplifted by the spirit and joy from the kids running around with a smile on their face with an infectious laugh that increased Singleton's appreciation for the event.
"Just spending time with the kids and doing different activities for them because they didn't have the same opportunities we had so to give back to them just means a lot," Singleton said.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Liam Clifford and redshirt sophomore quarterback Beau Pribula played catch with THON kids while senior wide receiver Julian Fleming held kicks for kids and was impressed when a 40-yard kick flew through the uprights.
Redshirt senior defensive tackle Dvon Ellies ran around with a kid-like grin on his face while being chased by a THON child. Ellies' Spider Man facepaint faded away but his fun and energy did not as he gathered his teammates signatures for a signed football to give to the child.
Embracing the THON event together and doing it as a collective team is what senior tight end Tyler Warren will remember most as he's always cherished the time spent with THON kids and their families. "Even if it's one day that's all we can do, that's good."
"I think doing this every year is always what we look forward to," Warren said. "It's probably the most involved that we get so just being able to bring them into our home, our family environment here in Lasch and Holuba is great."
