I am angered by Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon's (Thon) unwillingness to fight to preserve tradition ("Thon 2007 cut short for basketball," March 27).

I know overalls must be cordial with Big Ten officials, but do they know what Thon is all about? You would think that asking for the use of a building for an entire weekend to voice Penn State pride, not only as students, but as humanitarians, would be a simple request. How hard is it to schedule two away games or ask the basketball teams practice in Rec Hall?

This isn't about athletics, it is about the kids. Shortening Thon would provide better recovery for dancers, but only by enduring those 48 hours do you get a glimpse of a cancer patient's life. Cutting hours on either end cuts out time when the kids are actually at Thon. It's their weekend, and if that means I have to drag myself to a class on Monday even though I am tired, I'd do it for just one smile. By all means, go ahead and incorporate those "scheduling differences and newer events." But 48 hours is tradition and should be honored -- not for dancers, but for the kids.