Thon organizers forced to limit number of dancers after huge turnout

By Colleen Hyland
Collegian Staff Writer

Last year, the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon moved to Rec Hall for more space; however, the number of interested participants continues to grow and this growth has led to new action.

Organizers of Thon 2000, with the theme "Love Never Fails," were anticipating an increase in dancer interest, but the turnout at dancer registration was even more than expected and a lottery had to be used to get the number of dancers down to a workable number.

Dancer registration for Thon 2000 was from January 17 to 21. During the week of registration, two days were set aside for fraternity and sorority members, two days were set for organizations, and one day for the Commonwealth Campuses and independent dancers, said Walt Breuninger, overall public relations chair for Thon.

Ryan Hilliard, overall rules and regulations chair for this year's Thon, said they were expecting about 325 couples to register, but in the end that number was higher.

"It is great to see that so many people are interested in Thon and that they are going out to raise money for it," Hilliard said.

Even though Thon could accommodate 340 couples, 48 more dancers than last year, 354 couples applied, and steps had to be taken to reduce the number of dancers in the fairest way possible, Hilliard said.

"We could not take any more than that number because of fire restrictions and the space we needed for both the dancers and equipment," Hilliard said.

The solution for the increase in dancer interest came in the form of a lottery system. The 14 couples were both independent and from organizations and of these 14 couples, five were chosen to dance in the dance marathon.

"It was the first time we ever had to use the lottery and we feel that is was the fairest way," Hilliard said.

The couples not picked in the lottery to dance were given floor passes for Thon so they could still experience the event first hand, Hilliard said.

Kelly Croce (junior-public relations), who is a morale leader for Thon 2000, said it is hard to limit the number of people who want to dance.

"It is heartbreaking to have to turn people away, but with fire codes and restrictions from Rec Hall, it is necessary," Croce said.

Croce danced at Thon as a freshman and said the increase in numbers is proof that word is getting out about what an amazing experience the event is.

"It is great to see that so many people want to get involved," Croce said. "People strive to raise money to be one of those people out on the floor."

Croce added the rise in the numbers of dancers has led to an overall increase in the size of dance marathon. "We've had to move up to Rec Hall to house the dancers and we had to raise the number of moralers to help the dancers," Croce said. "With more and more people, we have more and more money to help the kids and the cause."