THON™ 5K: OPPerations Spotlight 

Written By: Jacob Deglin, Allie Jeglinski, Kaitlyn Casciato, Simran Patel, Lexxus Wessels 

THON™ has a total of 16 committees, each playing a vital role in helping to bring the largest student-run philanthropy to life. During the THON 5K Powered by PNC, we got to talk to captains on the OPPerations Committee (OPP). Being the first ones in and the last ones out, OPP is one of the foundational supports of all of THON’s events. 

The OPP Committee and their captains are involved in various tasks that contribute to the success of THON events. At the THON 5K Powered by PNC we talked to Mia Nisivoccia, an OPP Captain. She explained the plan and procedure for the 12-hours worth of tasks for the OPPerations Committee:  

“We break up into teams. There is the loading zone A team, which is Gate A, and the loading zone B team, which is Gate B, and they pretty much set up anything that goes in those areas. Then there’s the Penske team that drives around the route, and we work with Rules and Regulations to set up the course with barricades so that the runners know where to go, and then HOS also comes with the Penske to set up the water stations on the course” 

Being one of the many THON events, the OPP captains take pride in being involved in an entire community that comes together in pursuit of finding a cure for childhood cancer. Mia continuedwith her involvement and spoke about what it’s like to run the event from the perspective of an OPPerations Captain: 

“It’s just really amazing being behind the scenes and making sure that all events run smoothly for the families and the runners and spectators… it makes the early mornings worth it, that’s for sure” 

The THON 5K Powered by PNC involved plenty of contributions from all 16 committees. OPP’s set of tasks throughout their long 12-hour day helped shape the THON 5K into the great success it was. THON events wouldn’t be the same without the commitment of OPP.