A Special Success

It was a balmy 16 degrees outside and a line of scantily-clad divers was forming in front of a pool and over 100 spectators. Led by IU junior Brad Snyder, wearing a Cow costume and a multi-colored clown wig, more than 20 people went for a swim into the icy pool for the aptly-named "Polar Bear Plunge." This sort of crazy activity ran rampant throughout the 2003 Spirit of Sport. \nBeginning at 5 p.m. Friday and finishing off at 3 a.m. Saturday, this year's SOS drew over 4,000 spectators, participants and volunteers to the School of Health, Physical Recreation and Education building. Preliminary results say the 2003 SOS raised over $10,000 for the Indiana Special Olympics in 50 events ranging from an Oreo cookie stacking competition to a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.\nThe Polar Bear Plunge was the kick-off to the 10-hour event. Polar Bear Plunge participants included Recreational Sports Directors Kathryn Bayless and Jacqueline Puterbaugh and even members of the IU Police Department.\n"It feels great to have taken the Polar Bear Plunge, and it's all for a good cause," said, IUPD Sgt. David Rhodes, while running to the heated HPER.\nAnother major event for this year's SOS was the celebrity auction, which managed to raise over $3,500. Two plane tickets to anywhere in the United States raised the most money at $575 in the auction.\nOver 100 Special Olympians also showcased their skills in front of screaming fans in basketball and unified volleyball exhibitions. Bleachers were packed with fans as eight Special Olympics Indiana teams battled on the HPER basketball courts. \n"We had our Special Olympics teams competing and we had cheer crowds and they were great," said Executive Director of Special Olympics Indiana Dennis Schmidt. "They were enthused and they saw what sports is all about -- that sports are for everybody."\nSchmidt, who is retiring from his position after this year, has been working with the Special Olympics Indiana organization for 29 years and was quick to express gratitude for the Spirit of Sport.\n"(The SOS) has promoted our program amongst the students here at IU," Schmidt said. "The students then go out into the community, not only here in Bloomington, but throughout the state of Indiana and throughout the world carrying that message with them."\nMajor event winners included senior Ronnie Hanson in the men's division in the swim meet and senior Rebecca Adams took the 3-point competition. Team event champions include the Alpha Chi Omega sorority in 6-on-6 volleyball, Camp Flight in the men's division and Teter C in the women's division of 3-on-3 basketball, and Forrest 4B in the Wild West Skills Challenge.\nThe success of this year's SOS was the result of hard work from numerous volunteers. Seventy-five men and women worked for six months to bring the SOS into fruition, and their labors are not unappreciated.\n"The SOS staff was putting in over ten volunteer hours a week in programming for this event," said Assistant Director for IU Recreational Sports Joanne Orrange. "It's really touching to see the student involvement, commitment, and passion that they have to run this and put on a great event."\nTen hours and well over $10,000 later, the 2003 Spirit of Sport truly captured the "spirit of sport" in Schmidt's eyes.\n"Sports not only brings joy to the hearts of the athletes, it also brings joy to the hearts of the fans too," Schmidt said. "That's what the Special Olympics are all about, it brings joy to everyone and this year's Spirit of Sport truly captured it"