'Up all night' to benefit Special Olympics

Right hand blue. Left foot red.\nEverything from Twister to a Gladiator Challenge to a couple of reality TV stars will be at Spirit of Sport tonight in Wildermuth Gym at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. The event begins at 5 p.m. and carries on until 3 a.m. Saturday morning, but it's more than just an excuse to stay up all night to play. \nProceeds raised during the annual all-nighter benefit Special Olympics Indiana. Currently SOS is the longest running fund-raiser for Special Olympics Indiana, and since its beginning in 1976 more than $300,000 has been raised. \nWhile SOS offers numerous activities throughout the night for IU students and Bloomington residents, Joanne Orrange, RecSports assistant director of special events, said the most rewarding event of the evening is watching Special Olympics athletes participate in the annual basketball game. \n"For those that take the time and come and watch the Special Olympics athletes play, I think that sets a tone for the type of a night we're going to have," Orrange said. "So the more people who are there that can see that pure love, that love for just playing and that thrill for just giving it your all regardless; the more people see that the more they'll be enthralled in that. You just pick it up and you're more like that throughout the night."\nSenior Liz Wiggins, vice president of fund raising for Spirit of Sport, said the money collected during SOS fund raising will give the Special Olympics athletes a chance to go on to the national games and give the athletes a chance to do something they don't normally get to do.\nAnother big fund-raiser for SOS is the third-annual Polar Bear Plunge, which will feature two reality TV stars and a few "local celebrities." Randy Barry from MTV's "Real World San Diego" and IU graduate student Liz Terzo, who competed in "Bachelor 3," will take "the plunge" with IUPD Lt. John Butler and IU Parking Operations Manager Doug Porter.\nSOS is an alternative to a night out at the bars or partying, and most of the activities don't cost a thing, said junior Andrea Hill, promotions director for Spirit of Sport. \n"It's a great event to help benefit Special Olympics and a good night for students," Hill said. "There are tons of activities and prizes offered and it's an all-around fun event. It's an alternative to going out and doing other things on a Friday night because I think (SOS) demonstrates all the activities that go on on-campus; it's a highlight of all of them."\nStudents don't have to be varsity athletes or have tons of money to participate. While some tournament sports require a team and a $5 to $10 participation fee, the bulk of the activities are first-come first-served, free and large groups aren't required to participate. \n"We're trying to provide some activities for those that aren't super sporty, but those are games that you kinda played as kids in the playground. We're trying to bring those back," Orrange said.\nSome of the playground games, such as kickball, capture the flag and dodgeball, will likely take students back to childhood. This year's prizes include Big Ten Tournament tickets, an iPod, reversible IU warm-ups, prize packs and the coveted "Champion" T-shirts. \nOther than the prizes and a few celebrity sightings, Orrange said the best reason for coming to SOS is the extreme energy the night offers. \n"The energy in there is very high, it's very catching," Orrange said. "It's just one of those things that we just want to promote having fun." \n-- Contact Senior Writer Katie Schoenbaechler at kmschoen@indiana.edu.