This weekend is the annual THON dance marathon at Penn State, which has traditionally done wonders in racking up donations to help fight pediatric cancer. This year, however, the NCAA rulebook is getting in the way of one of the events members of Penn State’s football team typically participate in.
A message from Penn State informed media members there would be no media availability for football players at the THON event at the Lasch Building due to an NCAA rule regarding time restrictions in the offseason.
“We were informed this afternoon that due to the NCAA Time Management regulations, our current student-athletes are not permitted to participate in the THON event at the Lasch Building nor conduct media interviews [today] as it is a mandatory day off for the team,” a statement from Penn State Associate Director of Athletic Communications Kris Petersen said.
Members of Penn State’s football team have typically spent part of the day interacting with kids benefitting from THON’s mission, but that has tended to overlap with offseason days already scheduled through the athletics department for the football program. Because this was a scheduled day off for the football program, players are not permitted to take part in any organized activity while representing the football team. Although, one wonders just how far the NCAA would have been willing to challenge Penn State on this infraction in the event there was a conflict.
Players on the team can still participate and appear at the main event in the Bryce Jordan Center, and a couple already have along with head coach James Franklin.
"The football program, the coaches - we are so proud to be a part of this community, of THON, of you guys!" - @coachjfranklin.
— Penn State THON™ (@THON) February 17, 2018
Thank you coach for supporting our dancers, and our mission. #GoStateBeatCancer pic.twitter.com/kAGWFp9Mji
"Remember why we're doing this. We're doing this for the kids and to eliminate pediatric cancer."@coachjfranklin, @NittanyKidNick2 & @BigCShu71 address the #THON dancers in an electric @JordanCenter!#FTK#WeAre pic.twitter.com/OFAZY1RVxG
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) February 17, 2018