Boys Basketball: Plunging for Purpose

The high in Duluth reached 16 de­grees the day after Valentine’s Day. Hopefully, it wasn’t much colder by the lake for those showing some love for the Special Olympics and braving the Polar Plunge at Park Point to raise funds for the cause.

Around 700 participants from across Minnesota took the icy plunge into Lake Superior for the 24th Annual Duluth Polar Plunge. Among them were local stu­dent-athletes diving in to support the Lake Superior Lakers – Special Olympics Minnesota Delegation, which raised over $3,500.

“It was a fun, chilly experience,” said Two Harbors boys basketball coach Bill Anderson, who took the plunge along with the players. “We got to see a lot of smiles on the fac­es of Special Olympians and were happy for the opportunity to partic­ipate in such an amazing event.”

Katie Melander, who heads Spe­cial Olympics in Lake County, re­ported that the team made a big splash, stating, “Thanks to them, the Lake Superior Lakers took first again for the most raised in a dele­gation!”

Proceeds from the Polar Plunge go to support Special Olympics, whose mission, according to specialolympics.org,  is to provide “year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.”

Duluth’s Polar Plunge raised over $140,000 this year, matching nearly the same contribution to the cause in 2024.

“My dream is to have a plunge on the shore someday,” Melander reflected. “It raises so much money for Special O!”

With plenty of cold shoreline in these parts and a community eager to help others, I’d think that dream could easily become a reality someday.

When it does, don’t come at me for the plunge but I’d be happier (and warmer) to pledge!

Great job to the boys basketball team for taking the plunge for such a great cause. You are brrrrave!