As THON 2017 began its wrap-up, James Franklin took the stage to give a few inspiration words. He gave thanks for many different things, including the dancers and volunteers of THON, and praise for the change Penn Staters continue to make through raising money to defeat pediatric cancer.
However, being the head coach of one of the biggest comeback teams of the 2017 collegiate football season, he wanted to give another special thanks to those who helped our Nittany Lions make it all the way to the Rose Bowl.
“I also want to take a moment to thank all the students and families that came out to support us every week because we don’t win a Big Ten Championship without everyone here,” said Franklin.
One final thank you went out to junior Charlie Shuman, outside linebacker for the Nittany Lions, who joined Franklin on the THON stage.
“Just imagine standing for 46 hours at 6’7” and a sexy 305 pounds,” Franklin said, sending a ripple of laughter through the Bryce Jordan Center.
However, this is just one of many shout-outs given to Shuman by Franklin. On Feb. 17, the first day of THON, James Franklin was tweeting up a storm in honor of Shuman who would stand later that day.
Posted by James Franklin | @coachjfranklin
Shuman is a redshirt linebacker for Penn State and is currently on his 42nd hour of dancing for the kids. Originally from Pittsford, N.Y., Shuman came to Penn State to study kinesiology.
Shuman is one of eleven Penn State athletes dancing in THON 2017. Other athletes dancing in THON 2017 are Carly Celkos from the women’s field hockey team; Megan Schafer from the women’s soccer team; Jessica O’Niel-Lyublinsky from the women’s fencing team; Jessi Purawic and Carly Waters from the women’s rugby team; Holly Johnson, Kelli Long and Alex Preziosi from Penn State cheerleading; and Jacqueline Ferre, Alexa Gumbati, and Veronica Rossi from the Lionettes dance team.
