The South Annex of the Bryce Jordan Center was transformed into a playground Saturday afternoon, complete with soccer nets, Styrofoam swords and water gun warfare for the Athlete Hour of THON, designed to give Four Diamonds children a chance to interact with their favorite athletes.
Two kids had a combination sword fight and water gun showdown with Penn State football player Mike Wallace. Wallace (freshman-marketing) eventually surrendered, dropping to the floor and playing dead as the victors jumped on him.
"The kids are great," Wallace said. "They're full of energy loving life right now. I'm just glad to be a part of it."
On the right side of the annex, the soccer team defended small aluminum goals with orange nets from legions of Four Diamonds children; cheerleaders taught cheers to little girls outfitted with cheerleader uniforms; and the football team posed for photos and signed countless autographs.
Alec Kulina, 8, of Harrisburg, wore a white number 87 Penn State football jersey with his name written across the back. Kulina clutched a blue piece of construction paper that was completely filled with autographs from the football team and Lady Lions basketball team. Kulina said he plans to laminate and hang his autographed poster when he gets home.
But for Maria Bellido, 10, of Mechanicsburg, Athlete Hour was about more than just autographs. Bellido was practicing her volleyball technique with Darcy Dorton (freshman-psychology). Though both Bellido and Dorton hit the ball consistently, occasionally Dorton would have to run to the far end of the gym to retrieve a runaway volleyball. Bellido said learning volleyball was fun because she doesn't usually play at home. She added that during Athlete Hour, she hoped to go beyond the autographs and get to know the athletes.
"It's nice to be with people," Bellido said. "I want to have fun. Some people want to get autographs, but I just want to have fun with them and see the person that's inside."
