Prices ran high last night as about 150 people attempted to buy a date and show their support for the Interfraternity/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (Thon).

A celebrity date auction held by the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Residence Life was held in Thomas Building last night.

The auction bid off members of Penn State sports teams.

People could also bid on dates with members of both SPSEA and ASME.

"I believe the idea was generated by SPSEA," Jason Listak, ASME president said. "We became involved with the sponsors by first asking the people who were being auctioned off where they wanted to go on their date. SPSEA and ASME then contacted companies where participants wanted to go."

David Naylor, vice president of SPSEA, said people were auctioned off in groups due to safety issues.

"It is safer to go as a group," he said. "It is also a better ice breaker for people to be in a group."

Bidding began at $10, and mostly stayed within the range of $40 to $50.

The highest bid of the night, $160, was from Michelle Bonawitz (sophomore- nursing). Her bid went to roommates Dan Corrado, Nick Daise, Matt Pavelic and Steve Lieber, who will be making Bonawitz a home-cooked meal on the date.

"They are good guys; they are my friends," Bonawitz said.

Other student celebrities that offered to be auctioned off were members of the Penn State football, cheerleading, and men's and women's basketball teams.

Virginia Seats (senior-biology) bought a bowling date with football players Tony Hunt, Terrell Golden, Jonathan Jackson and Elijah Robinson for $45.

"I thought it was fun, and we wanted to go bowling with them. Also, Tony Hunt is an awesome football player," Seats said.

Though no Thon overalls were present at the auction, Carrie Konosky, Thon public relations chair, said after the auction that she was very excited that organizations would hold such large events to support Thon.

"We just love them [student groups] doing this. It is great to see such Thon spirit out there," Konosky said.

Two other date auctions will be held in the near future: One will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Big Onion stage in Johnston Commons, and the other will occur at 1 p.m. Saturday in 10 Sparks.