D'YOUVILLE SAAC TAKES THE PLUNGE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Members of the D’Youville College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) participated in the Polar Plunge on Saturday, December 5, to help raise money for the Special Olympics.

Woodlawn Beach was the host of the 9^th annual Special Olympics Polar Plunge, with about 1,400 swimmers who participated. A goal of roughly $160,000 was set to help out athletes across New York.

SAAC is made up of student-athlete representatives from each of D’Youville’s 14 sports who are determined to improve the community by giving back and participating in events such as the Polar Plunge. Representatives from all 14 D’Youville teams were either in attendance or supported the plungers though donations.

D’Youville head softball coach and SAAC Advisor Ona Halladay believes it is crucial to continue to support great causes like the Special Olympics and that D’Youville student-athletes give back to the community.

“Special Olympics is an organization that the AMCC and the NCAA are committed to supporting in any way they can,” said Halladay. “It’s good that our student-athletes are able to support the Special Olympics and their talented athletes through a great event like the Polar Plunge.”

Unlike last year’s plunge, this year the warmer weather helped bring out more participants and strive to set records. In 2014, the temperature of Lake Erie was 39, the coldest since 1977. This year, the temperature was 46 when it was time to take the plunge.