Men’s Lacrosse Supports Special Olympics New York

 

The Manhattan College men’s lacrosse team participated in the Pledge To Take the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics New York (SONY) Chapter.  On Saturday, Dec. 6, some 40 players from the squad traveled to Rye Playland and the Long Island Sound to be among the thousands of brave souls with warm hearts across the state who plunged into winter waters to show their support and raise money for the Special Olympics. The team raised $2,000 for the event toward the total of $46,000.

The income generated from the day will help serve the 46,106 Special Olympics athletes in New York State, of which more then 26,000 reside in New York City.  These athletes train for months and show off their athletic abilities by competing in Olympic-style events. SONY stages more than 200 competitions a year and thanks to people supporting fundraising events like Polar Plunge, Special Olympics can pledge that none of the athletes, their families or their caregivers will ever be charged to participate in any of the activities.

“Our team and their families did a great job fundraising for the event,” says head coach Tim McIntee. “I am very proud of the effort put forth by our players. We truly impacted the event at Rye Playland and the growth of support for Special Olympics New York. On this day, it was great to see our team take the Polar Plunge for such a good cause.”

On Dec. 6, the water temperature of Long Island Sound was 47 degrees and, factoring in the wind chill, it was minus-20 degrees. The Jaspers were the first group to enter the water, led by sophomore midfielder Erich Smith ’11.