STATE COLLEGE, Pa. THON is guaranteed a boost in funding over the next two years from Penn State Athletics’ newest corporate partner, National Fitness Partners, which will play a significant role in the new “Blocking Pediatric Cancer” promotion during men’s basketball season.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to work hand-in-hand with Penn State Athletics and its men’s basketball program to do something specific toward the fight against pediatric cancer,” said National Fitness Partners President Stephen Kindler, Jr. “THON and Four Diamonds have such a tremendous, targeted focus for fighting pediatric cancer year after year, and we’re proud to partner with the Nittany Lions and do our part.”

As a core component of aligning with Penn State Athletics, National Fitness Partners’ Planet Fitness brand will donate $42 to THON for each Nittany Lion block during home games, signifying the 42nd year of partnership between THON and Four Diamonds. Additionally, at participating locations throughout Central Pennsylvania, Planet Fitness will provide exclusive discounts and host private member-only events as part of its new partnership with Penn State. Planet Fitness will also conduct an enter-to-win social media campaign that asks Penn State fans to showcase their New Year’s Resolution and receive radio exposure during football and men’s basketball broadcasts on Penn State’s radio affiliates in State College, Altoona and Harrisburg.

“We’re always incredibly grateful for the support of Penn State Athletics’ corporate partners, and we appreciate the commitment and investment by National Fitness Partners to team with us in this fight against pediatric cancer,” said PJ Mullen, marketing manager for Penn State men’s basketball. “We want to thank them in advance of the season for their generosity, and we sincerely look forward to welcoming them to the climb.”

Planet Fitness’ relationship with Penn State over the next two years was secured by the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder, Learfield’s Penn State Sports Properties.

           

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics

Penn State has one of the nation’s most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 800 student-athletes across 31 programs. Penn State student-athletes have an NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 90 percent and rank No. 4 among all Division I schools with 201 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans all-time. The Nittany Lions’ 50 NCAA Championships all-time (78 national championships overall) rank No. 5 among all NCAA Division I programs and they’ve won 108 Big Ten championships or tournament titles. The Penn State men’s basketball program won the 2018 National Invitation Tournament Championship, posting a 26-13 record. For more information on Penn State Athletics, visit GoPSUsports.com

National Fitness Partners

National Fitness Partners is a private equity held Planet Fitness franchisee based in Camp Hill, PA. National Fitness Partners currently owns and operates 24 Planet Fitness locations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, North Carolina and South Carolina. National Fitness Partners is one of the largest franchisee organizations within the Planet Fitness system and has exclusive rights to develop 30 locations in Philadelphia, Central PA, southern Delaware and the Charlotte metro area. National Fitness Partners is backed by Argonne Capital, a private equity firm based in Atlanta, GA who specializes in franchise based investments.

For more information on Planet Fitness, visit www.planetfitness.com

About THON

THON is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, engaging more than 16,500 students in the fight against childhood cancer. THON’s yearlong fundraising and awareness campaign culminates in a 46-hour no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon every February. Since 1977, THON has donated more than $157 million to our sole beneficiary, Four Diamonds at Penn State Children’s Hospital, funding comprehensive care and critical research.