As the lights dimmed in Schwab Auditorium, a group of high-energy moralers took the stage to motivate dancers for this year's Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon).

In 17 days, those same moralers will encourage dancers to keep on their feet throughout the 48 hours.

"We'll be wearing the flaming yellow shirts," said Matt Thomas, morale chair. "[Our job] is to take you out of the fishbowl called Rec Hall. You are people, not fish."

Over 700 participants were in attendance last night for the information session.

"The purpose of the meeting was to help dancers get oriented," said Matt Fyock, rules and regulations chair. "This is also when they submit ... their spirit posters in order to get ready for Thon."

The meeting informed first-time dancers on what to expect from the experience and raise enthusiasm for the countdown to Thon.

"The meeting got me really excited," said first-time dancer Dyan Carvalho (junior-health policy and administration). "I have been a little scared and now I realize how close it is and it just brings it all home."

A new addition this year is bringing the Thon store closer to the dancers. The store will be located on the dance floor this year in order to allow participants and other Thon attendees to purchase items, such as Thon T-shirts, pens, mugs and photo albums for dancers, said Jessica Thompson, marketing chair. In prior years the store has been located on another floor.

In addition, each dancer received a dancer survival guide listing items they should bring for the weekend on their feet.

"Make sure to take a good look at the survival guide," Fyock (senior-management science and information systems) said to the dancers. "They are really helpful in preparing for Thon."

According to the dancer's survival guide, dancers should remove caffeine from their diet, avoid stress and exercise in order to have better endurance over the 48 hours.

"I cut out the caffeine already and now I am concentrating on eating well-balanced meals and getting enough sleep," Carvalho said. "Now I am meditating on what I am going to do to get myself into the right mindset for the weekend."