Special Olympics Looking For Coaches, Plus Polar Plunge Participants

(KNSI) – St. Cloud Area Special Olympics is looking for two coaches for the upcoming season.

Track and field would begin in March and run three to four months. Bocce kicks off in May with regional and state tournaments wrapping up in August.

Spokesperson Linda Schreiber says the positions each require about two hours per week for practice. Coaches would oversee between 20 and 30 athletes per sport, but Schreiber says they won’t be doing it alone.

“Know that each athlete has a person always with them. It’s usually a parent or a staff person. It’s a requirement of Special Olympics because that person knows what that person’s individual needs are, or if there’s a medical emergency they know how to handle it.”

Online training is provided and costs are covered by fundraising conducted by the organization. To apply, contact Schreiber at 320-293-3894.

One of the largest fundraisers, the Polar Plunge, is back next month. In Stearns County, participants will brave the chilly waters of Middle Spunk Lake in Avon. They’ll wade in just behind the Fisher’s Club.

Check-in happens at the restaurant at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18th. Seventy-five dollars gets you a chance to take the plunge. Register here to join “The Crazies.” Spokesperson Linda Schreiber explains the name.

“They selected that a number of years ago because so many people when they said they were plunging, people would say, “Are you crazy?!”

Stearns County is already a quarter of the way to its goal. The St. Cloud Area Special Olympics is looking to raise $45,000.

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