Polar Bear Plunge delivers splashes and smiles
For East Carolina University junior Kaliyah Crowder, the wait was more than worth it.
The hospitality management major from Raleigh took her place at the front of the line at 3:45 p.m. outside of the Eakin Student Recreation Center for the 29th annual Polar Bear Plunge at the center’s outdoor swimming pool. Doors for the event didn’t open until 5:30 p.m. with the first jump scheduled for 6 p.m.
“The T-shirt is why I’ve done it every time,” said Crowder. “Also, I love the experience, and it feels great after I jump.”.
Close behind Crowder in line was junior Alice Furman of Cary. The geography major charted her course to the Polar Bear Plunge for the third consecutive year.
“The free T-shirt is why I’ve jumped every year,” she said. “I did it with a friend my first year. It’s the only campus activity I’ve done every year and plan to next year. I want all four shirts.”
Crowder and Furman weren’t the only ones who had to wait, as the event was postponed one week to Jan. 30 due to a snowstorm and icy conditions the week before. Instead of abnormally cold weather that has been in Greenville for much of January, participants enjoyed air temperatures in the upper 50s, and a 52-degree water temperature measured by Jenny Gregory, senior assistant director of communications and promotions for Campus Recreation and Wellness. While it might be expected that the pool water temperature would be lower due to subfreezing nights, Gregory explained why that wasn’t the case.
Students jump into the Eakin Student Recreation Center outdoor swimming pool as part of the 2025 Polar Bear Plunge. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)
“Water is a conductor. The sun has been shining on it the last couple of days, and despite the air temperature feeling cooler, a pool at that depth and volume takes a lot to cool down,” said Gregory. She added that the pool had been filled for only a week.
Senior Will Lukas of Cary jumped for the second time after transferring to ECU before his junior year.
“It was cold both years, but worth it,” he said. “I only got to do it twice and wasn’t about to miss out on it during my senior year.”
Students weren’t the only ones to jump. Dr. Todd Fraley, dean of the ECU Honors College, was one of the 620 participants. Fraley participated for the second time, having first jumped in 2023.
“I’ve been at ECU for 20 years and always wanted to do it,” he said. “Two years ago, some students asked me to jump, and that same group asked me to jump again this year. It’s a fun event to do with students.”
The fun wasn’t limited to the outdoor plunge. The indoor pool was open and hosted paddleboard dodgeball as well as basketball games. A student organization fair took place in the building along with activities such as trivia and games. A giant cake, hot chocolate and finger foods catered by ECU Dining Services provided nourishment.
“The organization fair was one of the largest fairs we’ve had in years with 60 student organizations participating,” said Gregory.
In addition to a T-shirt, students had the opportunity to receive an exclusive tumbler.
“The tumbler was available to those who filled out the Polar Bear survey, who participated in the fitness activity, or who participated in the adventure activity. This way, more people had the opportunity to get one,” said Gregory.
For students still standing on the pool deck and uncertain about jumping, Fraley offered a bit of encouragement.
“Do it at least once while you’re here,” he said. “It’s a unique event that ECU is known for. Get a group of friends and come have a good time.”