While the Nittany Lions were beating Michigan State University Saturday night, their fans were aiding the effort to beat pediatric cancer.
Although the "Target 10" challenge did not draw 10,000 students to Tuesday night's men's basketball game against Ohio State University, a decision was made Friday to donate all student-generated proceeds from Saturday's game against Michigan State to the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Loren Crispell, marketing manager for Penn State basketball, said 1,529 student tickets were sold for Saturday's game, which raised $7,645 for Thon. The Nittany Lions beat No. 8 Michigan State 85-76.
"It's not easy to come over here after we have lost a bunch in a row, but, you know, the kids came out and supported us and supported Thon," Nittany Lions coach Ed DeChellis said.
"I thought the energy in the building was just tremendous."
Crispell, who called Thon "one of the biggest assets this university has," said the decision was made to donate all proceeds from student single-game ticket sales to Thon because of the support Tuesday night's game drew.
Initially, only a portion of the proceeds from students ticket sales was supposed to be donated to Thon because Thursday's attendance did not reach 10,000 fans.
"When we took another look at it, we didn't want the students' efforts to go unrewarded," Crispell said, adding that Tuesday night's student attendance of 5,700 was "definitely one of the largest crowds" the Nittany Lions have had at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Crispell added that with the $6,700 generated from the Thon Dodgeball Tournament 2007, men's basketball has raised $14,345 for Thon this year.
"I think this is the beginning of a great relationship," Crispell said.
Mike Petrasek, Thon overall public relations chairman, said he is happy that men's basketball can get involved with Thon.
"It was a great win for men's basketball," Petrasek said, "but it was also a win for Thon."
