Penn State's ‘Thon' Starts Friday Night

A tradition at Penn State is going on for the first time without Joe Paterno.
 
The Hall of Fame football coach came each year to rouse 700 students trying to make it through the annual charity dance marathon on campus.
 
Paterno, who was 85, died last month, less than three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. 
 
In lieu of flowers or gifts, his family requested that donations be made to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, which benefits pediatric cancer research and care. Among students and alumni, it is simply known as "Thon." 

Thon has raised more than $45 million since its inception 35 years ago.
 
The 46-hour dance marathon started Friday evening and ends Sunday afternoon.