UW-Madison students freezin’ for a reason

In general, college students are notorious for being a little wild and prone to do, um, interesting things.

This Saturday, UW–Madison students get to be a little wild, especially with Madison’s falling temperatures, at the 2006 Polar Plunge at Madison’s Olin-Turville Park. The plunging begins at 11:30 a.m. with forecasts calling for temperatures around one below with a wind chill of 16 below.

“[The weather] makes the whole thing a little more intense,” said Megan Halverson, who is the Student Hall Organization of Kronshage (SHOK) community service coordinator. “I’m nervous, but at the same time, it’s for a really good cause.”

Willing UW–Madison students and other individuals will be jumping into Lake Monona’s frigid waters after raising money for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin. In its six-year history, the Polar Plunge has raised nearly $4 million.

According to Special Olympics of Wisconsin, team “Ogg Hall,” led by captain Richard Baker, is 39 members strong and has raised $1,155 online. Team “Kronshage Hall,” led by Halverson, has 14 members and has raised $880 online.

Ogg Hall – the residence hall, not the team – opened in 1965. Ogg Hall’s two towers on West Dayton Street will serve as home to students for one final year in 2006-07. Ogg Hall will be demolished as part of the East Campus redevelopment plan. Kronshage, opened in 1938-39, is located next to the Lakeshore path.

Additional teams with campus connections include two club sports: the triathlon team (30 members, $1,080 online) and the waterski team. Teams representing the UW–Madison kinesiology club and forestry department are also taking the plunge.

The 2006 Polar Plunge in Madison runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, check the Special Olympics Web site.