The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/116680
maize N' view michael spath Taking The Plunge T here is a point of no return, and for me, that day was Feb. 15. After signing up to participate in the University of Michigan Polar Plunge Feb. 23, I began to have second thoughts like any sane person would. A TV news report from a plunge in the Detroit River had shown excited parties eager to jump into the icy cold waSpecial Olympics Michigan hosted 29 Polar Plunges across the ter only to emerge state this year, and the event at The Big House raised $125,334 from the depths with — including $8,410 by Spath (above). photo by Heather Nash terrified faces, their around, I was up to $8,360 and I arms flailing wildly for assistance to finished at $8,410. Overwhelmed, I reach dry land, a warm towel and a knew I couldn't back out, so I prehot shower. pared for the worst — five seconds of Perhaps, with only a little more agony and a long day of trying desthan $1,000 raised, I could just turn perately to warm my core temperain a check, take a few photos, and be ture back up. on my way, but on Feb. 15, after an Special Olympics Michigan hosted appeal made to subscribers of The29 plunges across the state this year, Wolverine.com, friends and family, and the event at U-M raised $125,334. donations poured in. By day's end, Former football coach Lloyd Carr and thanks to the generosity of so many, current football coach Brady Hoke I collected $5,610, becoming the top offered words of motivation to the fundraiser among 338 scheduled plungers and then sat in as judges. to partake in the event at The Big Participants came from across the House. Midwest, everyone dressed up in By the time the actual event rolled