The annual Special Olympics Polar Spray will kick off Family Weekend at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the parking lot between the Richter and Reilly centers.

Mike Potter, a Special Olympics gold medalist from Fillmore High School, will once again do the honors of the countdown for the event, which is free and open to the public. At 5:30 p.m., Dr. David Hilmey, the university’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will give the welcome.

The Allegany Fire Department will bring a fire truck on campus to create a water archway for participants to run under. Not everyone can say they’ve been sprayed by a fire truck, but those who donate $5 or more to participate in Friday’s Polar Spray can!

The annual fundraiser for Special Olympics New York began at St. Bonaventure in September 2015 when the university’s swimming and diving teams assisted with raising funds for and awareness of Special Olympics programs and Unified Sports in the Greater Olean area, according to Dr. Paula Scraba, an associate professor of Physical Education who is the university’s liaison to Special Olympics New York.

Scraba said the event also serves as a preliminary to the December Polar Plunge in Lake Erie.

“We raise anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 each year at the event to support Unified Sports and Special Olympics programs in Western New York,” she said. “All Special Olympics programs are free to all participants through efforts of fundraisers such as the Polar Spray.”

The Polar Spray and the annual fall Unified Soccer Clinic and spring Unified Basketball Competition are supported by the university’s athletics teams, students and employees, Scraba said.

To register for the Polar Spray or donate to Special Olympics New York, go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/2024polarspray. Participants can also contact Erica Raepple, senior director of development at Special Olympics New York, at eraepple@nyso.org, or Scraba at pscraba@localsinglez.com.

New this year!
A challenge has gone out to area public schools and SBU student organizations and teams.

The SBU swimming and diving teams have challenged all groups and clubs to have all members contribute to the Polar Spray. The swimmers and divers have raised $255 with all student-athletes contributing. The women’s basketball team took on the challenge and has raised more than $300. Can your group match that? The challenge is on!

The spray is open to the community. All are welcome to join the event as a participant or to stop by to see the fun.