We Can: Penn State Club Polo Hosts Charity Tournament to Battle Pediatric Cancer

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- The Penn State University water polo club can not drive.

No, not the way you are thinking.  

Their water polo talent is fine as the men's team has consistently been among the Mid-Atlantic Division's best the last couple of seasons.  In fact, the program is coming off a record best 8-0 finish in the regular season and a second place finish at the division championship (a 13-7 loss to Penn in the final marring an otherwise perfect season).

Rather, the team can not drive cars, or at least they couldn't earlier this season when it came time for THON (Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon), an organization that raises funds to battle childhood cancer.

While some were dancing the night away to raise funds, and others were collecting change around the Keystone State, the water polo teams were in State College playing games.

So they weren't doing their part? 

Quite the contrary, as the team under the leadership of club president Mitch Palski, hosted a seven team tournament on February 13-15 to benefit THON, the largest student-run philanthropy organization in the world.

"All the student organizations get involved in THON in some way," notes Palski.  "Most student-organizations go "canning" on four weekends each year.  The trips consist of a group of  students who stand on sidewalks and at intersections with coffee cans and collect change."

Founded in 1972 when a small group of dedicated Penn State students held their first Dance Marathon in which 34 dancers participated and raised $2,000, THON's presence in the Penn State community continues to grow exponentially. THON now has 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $52 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital.

A year-long effort that raises funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. With the support of students from all across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and THON Alumni all around the world, THON raised $7,490,133.87 this year to establish a new record for student-philanthropy.

However, the water polo team had a problem in helping the cause - a four-wheel problem.

"Our team didn't have enough cars available to make a canning trip that would actually produce a good amount of money.  So, we decided to host a water polo tournament instead."

The Nittany Lions and six other teams, at an entry fee of $350, "unless a team volunteered someone to referee at least one Round 1 game - then it was $300," according to Palski, joined together to play for the cause and raise $1,700 along the way.

Overall, PSU was exclusive in the teams invited to the tournament bringing in only division champions and runner-up finishers.  But the competition wasn't the hardest part of the tournament.

"People.  Finding volunteer officials was the hardest part of organizing this tournament," he admits.  

But like the Beatles sang, you get by with a little help from your friends.

"I used our Alumni and Friends email listserv and got PSU alum Todd Roth to come help out on Saturday.  Jaime Velez and Jerry Mujica - father and uncle of PSU women's player Vivanne Velez - covered most of Saturday."

"Tom Tracey from the CWPA and American Water Polo put me in touch with Bucknell coach John Abdou who got me in touch with All-America Richie Hyden and sophomore goalie Miles Gihuly to help out.  Those two were paid to officiate the elimination round games on Sunday, and Penn State player Bobby Heist got this father, Bob, to officiate the final game of the day on Sunday."

But for Palski and the rest of the participants, the trouble was more than worth it.

"We want to make this an annual event to benefit THON, as well as a fun off-season event for the collegiate club teams.  Next year, we hope to have eight teams and do a little bit more fundraising by selling T-shirts.

So, the Penn State water polo team can drive - and they can give back without a can, too.

More information on THON and how to make a donation is available on the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon website.