Number of Participants: 250
Hours Donated: 4
Value of Time Served: $34,790
Event Amount Raised: $10,000
Event Type: Children & Youth
Activity: Baseball
School: Prior Lake High School
Date: February 25, 2026
Location:
Prior Lake High School
150th Street West, Savage
MN
About:
Prior Lake High School student-athletes recently braved the freezing waters in support of Special Olympics Minnesota, turning the annual Polar Plunge into a powerful display of school spirit, leadership, and inclusion. Laker Baseball had an outstanding showing, with 62 players participating and raising more than $10,000 for the cause. Special thanks go to Coaches Geisler and Walz, along with dedicated parent volunteers, for helping make the experience possible.
In total, more than 250 Prior Lake student-athletes from a wide variety of sports and activities took part in the Polar Plunge, making it a true school-wide effort. The event has become a valued tradition for the school community, with participation continuing to grow each year.
In recent years, the school’s Unified program has expanded significantly, helping drive increased awareness and involvement in the Polar Plunge. Historically, Unified students partnered with the boys basketball program to help educate peers about the purpose of the plunge, how the funds are used, and the direct impact on students within their own school community. As the program has grown, additional athletic teams and activity groups have joined the effort, broadening participation and strengthening the initiative’s reach.
Students register through their respective teams and take an active role in fundraising leading up to the event. Funds raised are distributed in a way that directly supports student programming — 35% returns to the participating group, 15% supports the school’s Unified programs, and 50% benefits Special Olympics Minnesota. Because Unified programming is largely self-funded, these resources play a critical role in sustaining opportunities for students.
At Prior Lake High School, Unified initiatives include Unified Physical Education and Family and Consumer Science classes, school-wide Unified events, and this year, a Unified Basketball program. These experiences provide meaningful opportunities for students with and without disabilities to connect, build relationships, and help create a more inclusive school environment.
On the day of the plunge, participants gather at the high school to check in and prepare together. Teams often dress in themed outfits, share treats, and build excitement before heading to the event site to take the plunge as a group — creating a fun, memorable experience that strengthens school pride while supporting an important cause.
Through teamwork, fundraising, and a shared commitment to inclusion, Prior Lake student-athletes continue to demonstrate how one bold tradition can make a lasting difference both within their school and across the broader community.
