Pirates Prepare for 16th Annual Polar Bear Plunge

Video from the 2011 Polar Bear Plunge from http://innerpirate.ecu.edu/.

The 16th annual Polar Bear Plunge is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 19 at the East Carolina University Student Recreation Center.

All ECU students, faculty and staff are invited to jump into the icy waters of the outdoor pool. The first 1,000 jumpers will receive a free event t-shirt. Students are also entered into a drawing for prizes including the grand prize, a 3-foot stuffed Polar Bear donated by Coca-Cola.

All jumpers are encouraged to bring their own towel and a canned food item for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Food donors will receive an additional raffle ticket to double their chances of winning prizes.

The Polar Bear Plunge started as part of the grand opening of the Student Recreation Center in 1997, when 35 participants took the plunge. The event has grown each year with more than 700 plungers in 2010 and a record-setting 958 jumpers in 2011. Organizers hope to surpass the 1,100-jumper mark this year.

Food will be available following the jump and students may learn about ECU programs, activities and organizations through the Get A Clue involvement fair on the SRC basketball courts.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., with an ECU One Card required. The event is sponsored by Campus Recreation & Wellness, Campus Living & Dining and Student Involvement and Leadership.  For more details, contact the Student Recreation Center at (252) 328-6387.

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