Of Penn and Penn State

Malcolm Gladwell, the author of Blink and Outliers, lectured at Penn last week and touched on a, well, a touchy subject. From a story in the Daily Pennsylvanian:

He suggested that Penn students boycott football games as a way to protest what he called a “violent, stupid game” that serves only entertainment purposes.

I generally enjoy Gladwell's writing because he really does get you to think in a different way. After reading the DP story I did a little Googling and came across this video from last spring:



Ban College Football
from Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates on FORA.tv

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The Buffalo News has a story about Cornell offensive lineman JC Tretter, the only Ivy Leaguer headed to the NFL Combine. Tretter switched from tight end to tackle while at Cornell, tacking on another 50 or so pounds to do it. From the story:

“My dad was always the athletic one, and my mom was the academic. You put those two together and you can see why I ended up at a place like Cornell to play football,” Tretter said. “It’s been a long journey, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I wouldn’t change all the steps I’ve taken, going from quarterback to tight end to offensive line. It kind of makes it a good story and it’s really driven me to get better every day.”

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And finally, while it hasn't been the easiest year to be a Penn Stater, it's hard not to be immensely proud of what is happening in Happy Valley this weekend. THON, the 46-hour, Penn State Dance Marathon, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Since 1977 it has raised more than $89 million for the fight against pediatric cancer. Last year alone it raised $10.68 million and while at least one reader from Pennsylvania will be relieved that the "kids with cans" won't be soliciting his change every day, it's hard not to be touched by the effort. It will wrap up later today with the announcement of exactly how much was raised this year.

There's a nice story here about the Penn State men's basketball coach donating $14,200 to the effort and another story with quotes from Jay Paterno here.

Here are several photos shot yesterday at the Bryce Jordan Center:

The dance floor is filled and the colors abound. (click to enlarge) 

A panoramic look at Thon. (Matt Wood photos)

Penn State football players join in.