12th Annual Polar Bear Plunge attracts attention

Students enjoy the icy waters

By: Yazid Finn

Posted: 1/29/08

Thursday evening, with a high temperature of only 47 degrees for the entire day, students from around Greenville made their way to the Campus Recreation and Wellness center (CRW).

The event that students made their way through the cold to participate in was the Polar Bear Plunge, a winter tradition that has been around for as long as CRW has been open.

"It began for faculty and staff; we wanted to celebrate the opening of the center," said Stephen Gray, director of parent and student services, "and it gives students something fun to do in January."

Student turnout set a new record for the occasion, with a total of 502 registered participants, up from 2006's record of 467 students.

Observers and students came early and one could feel the energy and anticipation in the air as the clock counted down to the first jumpers.

"I heard it's a big deal," said Cayleigh Blackwell, freshmen and undecided in her major. "I'm excited, I have never done something like this before and I hope to do it again next year!"

Many shared Cayleigh's sentiments, as a band of students showed off their enthusiasm, lining up and showing off painted letters across their chest.

Gray continued to pump up the crowd, calling out questions and shouting words of encouragement as others referred to him as the "Papa Bear" for the evening.

With only five minutes until the first jumpers, groups began to chant "purple" and "gold," adding to the already electric atmosphere.

As the clock hit 7 p.m., students were allowed to line up around the pool with Papa Bear giving the final countdown.

If the 39-degree water was not enough, over 150 pounds of ice were dumped into the waters before participant's eyes.

Equipped with glow necklaces and their courage, groups of students continued to make the trip into the freezing water for the next hour, receiving T-Shirts and a chance for a $250 gift card to Best Buy.

Students dried themselves with towels provided or their newly acquired T-Shirts as they enjoyed food provided by Campus Living and Dining.

"I did it for the rush, the T-Shirt and my friends," said Adam Burk, sophomore nursing major, as he dried himself off.

Students could have their picture taken with their friends after the fact, a token of remembrance for their test of endurance on their way back to the court.

Some students seem to regret diving into those icy waters again after doing so in previous plunges.

"I must have been crazy for wanting to do this again," said Rob Breiner, sophomore broadcast journalism major, "so many freshmen here don't know what they're getting into."

This writer may be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.