First Five Years | Extended History
The History of THON
In an attempt to rebuild its image, the Interfraternity Council started Dance Marathon in 1973. At the time THON was a competition that split proceeds between the dancing winners and a charity of the year. Right around the same time, an organization called The Four Diamonds Fund was starting in Hershey, PA with the aim of helping all children who were diagnosed with cancer at the Penn State Children’s Hospital. In 1977, with the competition aspect of THON on its way out, THON donated to this little known fund. In 1978 the partnership with The Four Diamonds Fund was made permanent; the rest, as they say, is history.
In 1979, changes were made that still have impact today. That year, the first annual Road to THON Celebration was held to open the fundraising season. Also that year, THON moved to the White Building to meet ever-increasing demands on space. It wouldn’t be until 1999 that THON outgrew the White Building and moved to Rec Hall, where it is still held today. In 1983, THON broke the six figure mark by raising $131,000. This growth, coupled with event changes over the next few years, helped create the THON we know today. The THON line dance was introduced, the first Family Carnival took place, and THON weekend kept on growing. Best of all, the money being raised was making a difference; in the history of the Four Diamonds Fund, pediatric cancer survival rates have gone from around 30% up to 80 or 90% in some cancers.
The ‘90s had big changes in store for THON. In 1992, White Building shook with applause when the total was announced over one million dollars. By 1999, THON had again outgrown its home and was moved to Rec Hall. Also in 1999, the students of THON pledged $5 million over the next 5 years to endow pediatric cancer research at Hershey. In the years that followed, the 2 and 3 million dollar marks were passed. In the spring of 2004, THON agreed to pledge $10 million over the next 6 years to create a new Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at the Penn State Children’s Hospital, promising to revolutionize family-centered care for the families of The Four Diamonds Fund. THON 2005 shattered records, raising $4,122,483.65 for The Four Diamonds Fund. For 2007, THON was once again on the move, this time to the Bryce Jordan Center. THON 2007 broke $5 million for the first time, raising $5,240,385.17. Read more about the history of THON here.
In 1973, no one could ever have imagined what they would be starting when the decision was made to have a dance marathon. "We never really intended to start a tradition - we just wanted to have some fun and positive feelings," says Dr. Bill Lear, who was IFC President in 1972-73. "That was a year of Anti-Vietnam sentiment and anti-conformity, it was also a low Greek time. We wanted people who were happy to be Greek and wanted something fun to get us through the winter." The first Dance Marathon lasted 30 hours and was a competition. It began at 6pm on Friday, February 2nd in the HUB ballroom with the song "Jumping Jack Flash". Thirty-nine couples each paid $10 for a chance at the $300 grand prize. There was a point system in which couples earned a point for each minute danced and each dollar raised. At the end, seventeen couples remained on the floor. Chris Guenter and Sam Walker, the only independent couple, were declared the winners. The first Penn State Dance Marathon donated over $2,000 to the Butler County Association of Retarded Citizens.
The second Dance Marathon was expanded to 48 hours, beginning at 11pm Friday and finishing at 11pm Sunday. "Bud Man and Robin" made their debut this year. Back then, there were no scheduled bathroom breaks and couples were penalized for not "keeping rhythm to the music". This year the proceeds went to The American Heart Association, which received $10,825.
In the early years of Dance Marathon, there was a premium put on staying on the floor. Sally Gibson and Stuart Aion won the first "time" category, dancing all but 51 seconds of the 48 hours. For the second year in a row, Bud Man and Robin won the "Time and Money" competition. This was the year THON™ moved to its permanent time slot of Friday at 7pm to Sunday at 7pm. The grand total of $10,825 was donated to the Easter Seals Society
1976 was a year of firsts for the Penn State Dance Marathon. For the first time, THON™ had an actual theme, "Dance For Those Who Can't". And although the adoption of the famous annual line dance song was still years away, this was the year that line dancing became a part of Dance Marathon culture. A song by Van McCoy called "The Hustle" ushered in the disco era and sparked the line dance craze. The $15,282 raised for the Muscular Dystrophy Association was enough to send 1976 Overall Chairman Greg Wetterau to the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon to present the check to Jerry's Kids.
A then-record 62 couples took the floor for the fifth annual Dance Marathon. Several changes were made this year. Due to the growing interest in THON™, bleachers were erected to increase spectator capacity. Though still a competition, for the first time dancers were required to take five breaks of three minutes each. Dance Marathon smashed their previous total, raising $28,685 for a little known charity at the Hershey Medical Center called The Four Diamonds Fund.
So that's how it all began. The next year, the decision was made to continue to donate the money raised by THON™ to The Four Diamonds Fund, and the rest is history.
In attempt to rebuild the Interfraternity Council's image back in 1973, then President Bill Lear proposed a dance marathon to raise money for a worthwhile cause. Once all plans were in place, Lear promised the proceeds to the Butler County Association for Retarded Children. But Lear was wary of promising much, he told BCARC to expect as little as $20. Thirty-nine couples were scheduled for the 30-hour competition, which boasted a prize of $300 for the winning pair. When the fundraiser finished, 17 couples were standing and more than $2,000 had been raised. The couple who'd successfully raised the most money and danced the most hours was Cris Guenter and Sam Walker, representatives of Leete Hall.
Little did Lear know that his friendly competition would continue the following year, changing in scope and growing in size. Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta paired up to set a new precedent for fundraising, their contribution of $1,633 adding to an astonishing total of over $10,000. This marathon was the first to last 48 hours; its beneficiary was the American Heart Association.
In 1975, adherence to time was of the utmost importance. Couples lost points for not keeping rhythm, even taking breaks for the bathroom. The winning couple succeeded in only spending 51 seconds in total break time off of the dance floor. Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta's couple again won the marathon, which raised over $12,000 for the Easter Seals. This year's marathon was scheduled in the traditional timeslot of Friday at 7 p.m. until Sunday at 7 p.m.
Two years later a little known charity became the recipient of the dance marathon fundraiser - The Four Diamonds Fund. Bleachers lined the walls of the HUB Ballroom as a record 62 couples took the floor. That year, Four Diamond's received a total $28,685, as Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta continued their streak as top fundraisers.
In 1978, All-American wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo made a pact with Hershey Medical Center that all proceeds from THON would benefit the Four Diamonds Fund as long as the monies would be used towards pediatric leukemia. "Give Hope Chance, Come On and Dance" was the theme of the 6th annual IFC dance marathon, which raised $52,800. Yet again, Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta topped the competition.
A tragic event further sealed the bond between Dance Marathon and the Four Diamonds Fund when, a few weeks after THON™ 1978, a group of students were driving to Hershey to visit the Medical Center and deliver the check for the THON™ 1978 fundraising total. Outside of Harrisburg, one of the Penn State students’ cars was in an accident and several students were injured. One student, Kevin Steinberg, lost his life in the accident. Kevin was the typical Penn State student who fell in love with Dance Marathon. He became involved with THON as Interfraternity Council Vice President. His legacy lives on at Penn State through the Kevin Steinberg Award, given to one THON organizer each year to recognize service to Dance Marathon and the Four Diamonds Fund, and through THON’s continued dedication to the Fund.
Before the 1979 Dance Marathon, Kappa Delta Rho President, Jim Adisee, encouraged the Interfraternity Council to continue the relationship between THON and The Four Diamonds Fund in honor of his close friend, Kevin Steinberg.
Changes made in the 1979 Dance Marathon still live on today. The inaugural Road to THON Celebration started the THON season early that year. That February, THON moved into its new home at the Mary Beaver White Building. Two hundred and eighty six dancers participated and $72,132 was raised. Delta Kappa Phi (currently Psi Upsilon) and Kappa Delta broke the Kappa Delta Rho /Delta Delta Delta five-year winning streak.
The tenth annual dance marathon took place in 1982 with the theme, "Let's All Dance For Diamonds." At that year's Road to THON Celebration, 1972 Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti spoke about his experience losing his younger brother to leukemia ten years earlier. Five hundred dancers graced the floor of the Mary Beaver White Building, raising over $95,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund. Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta returned as the winners that year.
The very next year dance marathon broke the 6-figure mark raising $131,000. Kappa Delta Rho and Delta Delta Delta took home their tenth first place trophy. In 1984, dance marathon was noted for being the largest philanthropy of its kind. That year, activities kept dancers busy in a 48-hour around-the-world marathon. Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Sigma Alpha emerged this year as winners, starting their rein as dance marathon leaders.
On the 15th birthday of dance marathon, it adopted the official abbreviation we all know today - THON. Four hundred and seventy-two dancers took the floor to raise a total $297,311.
In 1989, Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Sigma Alpha continued to be leaders in fundraising, raising more than $100,000 on their own. The 1988 Miss America was the inspirational speaker at the Road to THON Celebration.
Entering the 90's in politically correct style, dance marathon officially renames itself to add "Panhellenic" to its title. The now Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon raised $671,572 to the tune of "Just Can't Get Enough." Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Sigma Alpha contributed over 20% of the total funds raised in 1990.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, 1992, Overall Chair John Ferenchak took a deep breath and began to announce the grand total, "One million, one hundred …" The rest of the number was lost over the eruption that shook the Mary Beaver White Building that moment. It was a milestone that seemed impossible 20 years earlier. Although THON™ committees had made it a point to never set a goal, the 20th anniversary THON™ set a standard for the future.
In 1995, THON™ chose its first female overall chair, Stacy Bingler. For the 12th year in a row, Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Sigma Alpha finished first, contributing to a grand total of $1,169,697.
"Miracles in Motion" celebrated THON™'s 25th anniversary by raising $1,528,425. That November, THON™ families and student volunteers met a few months before dance marathon for the first ever Family Reunion Carnival. That February, the pair of Alpha Tau Omega and Zeta Tau Alpha contributed $175,802, becoming the top money raising organization for the second year in a row.
The $2 million mark was reached in 1998 when a grand total of $2,001,831.51 was raised. The team of Alpha Tau Omega/Zeta Tau Alpha was the top money raising organization again as students danced to the theme "Hoping, Inspiring, Believing." Many steps were taken in 1999 towards bringing the Penn State family "One Step Closer" to a cure. THON™ moved to its current home on the west side of campus - Rec Hall. Also this year, the university announced that $5 million raised in the next 5 dance marathons would be specifically donated to research at the Hershey Medical Center.
THON™ 2000 shattered the last year's total of $2,530,142.48 and the $3 million mark, topping out at $3,076,983.97. THON™ was held in Rec Hall for the second year in a row with the theme "Love Never Fails.”
The $3 million mark was reached again in 2001. Two years earlier, the university pledged to donate $5 million over the next 5 years for Hershey Medical Center's research. With a total of $3,609,830.07, that promise was fulfilled two years early. THON™ 2001 convinced spectators and participants alike that a cure for pediatric cancer is "Within Reach."
In 2002, the first ever THON 5K in October kicked off the THON season earlier than in the past. "Planet THON" was the space age theme of the 6th Annual Family Reunion Carnival, building momentum for THON 2002, “…with all your heart.”
In the spring of 2004, the Overall Committee signed an agreement to contribute $10 million over the next six years to create a Pediatric Cancer Pavilion at the Hershey Medical Center. This center promises to bring us closer to a cure, showing that THON 2004 really was “Always Believing.”
Blue THON For The Kids bracelets helped THON 2005 break the 4 million dollar mark raising $4,122, 483.65 for The Four Diamonds Fund.
Record breaking crowds entered THON 2006 for Rec Hall's 'final dance.' The THON webcast is viewed in more than 30 different countries. THON 2006 raised $4,214, 748.18.
In 2007, THON celebrated its 35th anniversary in style, moving to its new home in the Bryce Jordan Center. The excitement of the new location did not disappoint as THON 2007 raised a record $5,240,385.17 for The Four Diamonds Fund.
The students of Penn State continue to do everything they can FOR THE KIDS. Together, we will find a cure!
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