Ball State University is one of many schools in the country that host a dance marathon for a Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Our event originally started as a philanthropic event hosted by Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and was frequently paired with Phi Mu Fraternity for many years.
Last year Ball State Dance Marathon became a campus-wide student organization. Last year BSUDM raised close to $14,000 for Riley Hospital for Children and had close to a hundred dancers.
At the marathon, dancers spend the twelve hours dancing, watching concerts and performances, playing games, eating and best of all, hearing Riley Kid stories!!! Money is raised through pledges from family, friends and corporate donors. All money raised will be donated to Riley Hospital for Children, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital.
Our motto “Where U can make a difference… one hour at a time” sums up the spirit of Dance Marathon. U are given the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child.
Dance Marathon is an event that was started in 1973 at Penn State University. This event has grown into a 48-hour event called the “Thon” and raises over 5 million dollars a year for Penn State Children’s Hospital.
Indiana held its first marathon in 1991 when Indiana University held a Dance Marathon in honor of the late Ryan White. Ryan White changed the way that world saw aids patients. IU Dance Marathon now raises over a million dollars a year for Riley Hospital.
Today, there are 18 High School and College marathons held in the state of Indiana. These schools include:
High Schools
Colleges