GOLDEN LIONS GET COLD FOR A CAUSE IN 2011 POLAR PLUNGE
Mount Sinai, N.Y.- Dowling student-athletes and staff plunged into the cold waters of Long Island Sound this weekend, raising money and awareness for a good cause.
Members of the men’s and women’s cross country teams as well as head coach Michael Marrone, assistant coach Bob Farrelly, and Director of Campus Recreation Michael Plugues braved the cold weather at Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai, N.Y. this Saturday, joining over 500 other people in the 2nd Annual Brookhaven Polar Plunge.
At the end of the day, over $70,000 was raised for the Special Olympics of New York. More than $1,000 of that came from Dowling women’s cross country member
Erika Bailey. Her contributions along with others from Dowling Athletics helped the organization rank 5th as a group in monies raised for the event.
Each year, Special Olympics Polar Plunges are held throughout the country to attract thousands of chilled souls to engage in a commendable and thrilling fundraising event. Last year, more than 6,000 plungers and 15,000 spectators were part of the 2009-2010 Plunge Season raising nearly $1 million at twelve Plunge locations statewide. All funds support Special Olympics’ programs and promote awareness of people living with intellectual disabilities in New York.