Sport event aids charity

It's early in the morning, and still the mechanical bull strives to throw its unwitting victim from the saddle. But, this is no scene from some seedy western bar, it is instead what will be a common scene during the 2003 Spirit of Sport.\nThis year's SOS will feature a western motif, complete with a mechanical bull, western decorations and a contest testing the "Wild West Skills" of its participants. \n"(It is) consisting of four land events and four aquatic events," said Assistant Director of Special Events for Recreational Sports Joanne Orrange. "The big land events include a mechanical bull ride and tractor-tricycle pull, and the aquatic events include kayaking and underwater ring retrieval."\nSpirit of Sport is an annual event that began in 1976, combining a multitude of activities to raise money for the Indiana chapter of the Special Olympics. This year's Spirit of Sport will test the eyelids of many of its volunteers, as the event begins at 5 p.m. tonight and will go on until 3 a.m. Saturday. \nBut the volunteers will certainly not be falling asleep from boredom. With over 50 events gracing the halls and gyms of the HPER this weekend including a slam dunk and benchpress competitions, club sport demonstrations and dance workshops, both participants and volunteers will have plenty to do. \nFamilies will also have no problem finding their share of fun with 13 scheduled events including face painting, swimming and miniature golf.\nWith such plethora of events crammed into 11 short hours, all the fun will be for a good cause. All proceeds from this year's Spirit of Sport will be going to the Special Olympics. Since its inception 27 years ago, IU's Spirit of Sport has raised over $277,500. Last year's Spirit of Sport raised $17,000 of its own, however organizers said they are confident 2002's total will be exceeded.\n"We're hoping to raise over $20,000 this year for the Special Olympics," Orrange said. "With this year's events, we are confident that we can raise that much money."\nOther fund-raising events include a celebrity collectibles auction and the "Polar Bear Plunge," which will challenge its contestants to raise at least $50 in pledges in order to take a plunge in a frigid pool outside of the HPER.\n"We have an autographed poster of the IU men's basketball team, an autographed Muhammad Ali Wheaties box and all types of things that will hopefully target all different types of populations," said Spirit of Sport Operations Vice President Shannon Smith.\nWhile all the proceeds will be given to the Special Olympics, the Olympians won't just be accepting a check. The Special Olympians will also be showcasing their skills in basketball and volleyball. SOS officials said these events will remind spectators what the event is all about.\n"The Spirit of Sport enables (the Special Olympics) to host the local areas and the funding we provide is able to filter down to different counties that are able to start up new Special Olympic programs or get new equipment," Orrange said.\nAll the fun will come with a price as 75 men and women have been working since September putting this year's event together. \n"This is going to be an incredible event this year," said Spirit of Sport President Beth Gillis. "The staff has worked really hard and we have plenty of events for people to have fun"