Northwestern University Dance Marathon - History

History

More than thirty years ago, Dance Marathon, the philanthropic child of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Associated Student Government, was born on the Northwestern University campus.

The concept for Dance Marathon was sparked by Cheryl Wexler Scott, the 1973 Homecoming co-chair. At the time, she was searching for a philanthropic endeavor to kick off the weekend festivities when she recalled a Jane Fonda movie she had viewed the summer before. The film, "They Shoot Horses Don't They," chronicles a Depression-era marathon dance contest that attracts destitute participants to vie for a $1,500 prize

Twenty-one couples danced for DM in 1975. It was called the "Dance to Give Them a Chance" marathon then, and it benefited the American Epilepsy Foundation and the National Association for Retarded Citizens. Fifteen couples made it through the fifty-two hour marathon, raising $9,105 at Blomquist Memorial Gymnasium. The winning couple, Donna Miller and Tony Krileff, was sponsored by Bobb Hall and a local liquor store.

DM 1976 saw a new venue as the dancing was moved to Patten Gym and the dancing time was lessened to twenty-six hours. When the sponsor decided to discontinue the event after two years, Triangle Fraternity picked up the mantle and looked for a venue where other fund-raising events were possible. In 1977, DM found its current home: the Norris University Center, where students have been dancing for thirty hours at a time ever since. To institutionalize the event for the long haul and ensure a continuing flow of good ideas from students, organizers turned it into a campus-wide charitable event.

Special events to raise extra money for the cause were added over the years, like the DM Spa, where manicures and haircuts are given in Norris during Dance Marathon weekend. Other events take place to keep the rest of the campus involved while the dancers are busy, such as a DDR tournament and performances by on-campus groups.

Chicago's The Second City comedy troupe paid a visit in 1984. Since that time, popular bands and performers have been a highlight of DM weekend. DM has attracted the attention of people like Barack Obama, George and Barbara Bush, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Jeff Probst, Scott Wolf, NU alumnus David Schwimmer, and former NU chemical engineering student Cindy Crawford. Chicago celebrities, like former mayor Jane Byrne and Chicago Bears players Mike Tomczak, Keith Van Horne and Trace Armstrong, have also danced.