Basketball: Men's

Patrick Chambers has said he's tried "everything" to get students to attend home games in the past two seasons.

However, the second-year men's basketball coach took these efforts to an entire new level Monday when he announced on State College's B94.5 radio station he'll be donating $10 to THON for every student who attends Thursday night's game against Iowa.

"This is what I want to do for THON," Chambers said on the air. "So, any student who comes to the game Thursday night at 9 p.m., I will donate 10 dollars per student."

Chambers has been a major proponent of the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon — which will begin just 21 hours after the Nittany Lions tip off in the BJC on Thursday — ever since taking over in Happy Valley.

His efforts to promote cancer awareness have been noticeable, having made a speech at THON last year and stressed the importance of the Coaches versus Cancer game earlier this season.

Chambers will likely be leaving a hefty mark on THON this year, as more than 1,400 students have purchased season tickets this year, according to the team's sports information director, Brian Siegrist.

"So if it's 200 [students], it's $2000," Chambers said. "If it's 500, it's $5000. And we can keep going."

However, the vocal coach made it quite clear that despite his team's recent struggles, students will have to stay the entire game if they wish to help lead to a donation.

"Now, you got to do me a favor," Chambers said toward students. "You got to stay the whole game. Don't leave at halftime on me. These guys are trying. They're out there practicing so hard. It's only a matter of time. We're close."

Siegrist said each student will receive a "pledge card" upon entering the facility, and as the game winds down, these cards will be collected to help calculate the total Chambers will donate.

Student tickets cost $5 for those without season tickets.

Check back to the Daily Collegian throughout the week for more coverage.