Fun and games: Penn State football celebrates Thon weekend with Four Diamond families

It was hard to tell who had more wiggle in their step on Saturday afternoon at the Lasch Building, the cluster of Thon Explorers kids or Penn State safety Nick Scott.

“It’s a lot of fun for me personally, because I still am a kid,” laughed Scott as Penn State football’s “Athlete Hour” drew to a close. Behind him, in the warm sunshine pouring over the Lasch practice fields, kids had started a pickup game with kicker Joey Julius and running back Saquon Barkley.

The kids got to pick teams, and Barkley was squabbled over as the first selection — “No jumping!” yelled Scott at the freshman, a reference to the running back’s notorious hurdles over opponents — and other players trickled out of the weight room, where many families were exploring and playing, and the friendly, giggle-filled scrimmage began.

“I always love a chance to play with the kids, and get back to my old self a little bit,” said Scott. “It’s a good time.”

It’s Scott’s second year participating in the weekend’s Thon events, and each year he’s been a part of it he’s gained important perspective.

“A lot of these kids have been through a lot, spent a lot of days in places where they probably didn’t want to,” he said. “It’s good to get them out here and give them some of that time back.”

Penn State’s 2016 version of Thon’s Explorers Program event was a bit altered as the Lasch building is undergoing several renovations. The event’s organizers improvised, however, and after each family was matched up with one or two players, they split into groups and had several activities ready for the kids.

The groups were sent from sumo wrestling (equipment managers threw on large inflatable sumo suits and ran into each other, allowing kids to get in on the fun) to Twister and a tour of the facilities, which now includes a state-of-the-art snack room that opens up into the weight room (though its purpose for the day was to dish out ice cream sundaes). Groups also could participate in “human bowling” with large foam pins and giant exer-balls, and were supervised by players as they trickled into the weight room and explored all of the equipment.

Offensive lineman Andrew Nelson said he had a great time hanging out with all of the families.

“Honestly, I just love spending time with the kids,” he said. “These kids, they look up to us because we’re good athletes and good football players. ... But a lot of these kids battle for their life every day, and we know nothing about that struggle. They come in here with so much joy, and look up to us, and it’s unbelievable that we’re heroes to them when they’re the ones fighting every day.

“This is what Penn State is all about, to me. These are the days that define our program.”

Defensive tackle Garrett Sickels loved watching the families have a great time in light of what they have been through.

“Just seeing how these families have been through a lot, and just seeing how today they get to just have fun and forget everything that’s gone on in the past, and just enjoy our company — and we enjoy their company just as much,” he said. “It’s just good to see everyone smile and have a good day.”

Many of the football players will also go to see teammate Matt Zanellato this afternoon, as the former receiver was selected as one of the Thon dancers for the Student Athlete Advisory Board after raising about $17,000 for the Four Diamonds Foundation.

Marrianne Rowan and her family were present, and her son, Connor, was dressed to the nines in a No. 34 Penn State football jersey and pants. He ran around the weight room testing his skills as early enrollee tight end Danny Dalton supervised.

“Connor is nine months in remission from liver cancer,” said Marrianne. “He’s been out of treatment so it’s been nice to add some fun back in. Penn State embraced us. ... Just to make such bad times turn around and have something to look forward to.”

Marrianne said Connor wants to attend Penn State when he’s older — and maybe even put on the Nittany Lions football uniform for real.

“For now, he’s enjoying the weights,” she laughed. “But who knows? The sky is really the limit for him now.”

This story was originally published February 20, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Fun and games: Penn State football celebrates Thon weekend with Four Diamond families."