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Team Tang Aims To Make a Splash At Chicago's Polar Plunge

By Mauricio Peña | February 26, 2015 5:50am
 Nicholas McKinney (l.), William Tang (c.) and Tim O'Connell are ready for Team Tang's fifth Polar Plunge.
Nicholas McKinney (l.), William Tang (c.) and Tim O'Connell are ready for Team Tang's fifth Polar Plunge.
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DNAinfo/Mauricio Pena

BRIDGEPORT — A few years back, William Tang, 32, Special Olympics athlete and Team Tang Polar Plunge captain, paced around North Avenue beach wondering where his teammates were.

A few days earlier, Tang, Tim O'Connell, Nicholas McKinney and three other friends decided they'd put together a last-minute team and take the plunge into Lake Michigan's icy waters. But 30 minutes after the event had started, Tang's teammates were nowhere in sight.

"There was a disconnect, we didn't know what we were doing," said Tim O'Connell, Chicago Park District assistant director of recreation.

"William was at the beach waiting for us, pacing, very upset, wondering, 'Where's my team?" O'Connell said. "But as soon as we arrived, he took us off the bus and walked us straight into the lake and really proved to be our leader."

Mauricio Pena says the group keeps expanding:

That was 2011, the team's first year participating, and Team Tang raised $1,820 with the help of 46 supporters. Now the team that originally started in Bridgeport has grown from six to 56 members hailing from the North and South Sides of the city.

At last year's polar plunge, the 47-member team raised $26,910 — the second highest team amount — only behind ComEd's team, said McKinney, a physical instructor at Taylor-Lauridsen Park.

At this year's Plunge, scheduled for March 1, the team is hoping to eclipse last year's haul for Special Olympics Chicago. So far the team has raised more than $17,500.

"I hope to have 75 plungers and raise $30,000 this year," Tang said.

The Chicago Polar Plunge is the largest fundraiser for Special Olympics Chicago. The money from the event provides medals, uniforms, transportation, sports equipment and activities throughout the year for more than 5,000 Special Olympics athletes.

During last year's Polar Plunge, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, "The Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon and nearly 3,200 people took a dip and raised more than $1 million.

As Team Tang heads into the frigid cold waters for their fifth time, O'Connell is surprised at how big the team has grown in five years.

"Who would have thought? We like doing it. It's a lot of fun and we know the difference the program makes and we know how awesome William is," O'Connell added.

The team's commitment to having fun by incorporating themes like a Charlie Sheen-theme in 2011 and Gangnam Style dance performance in 2013 has lent itself to the popularity Team Team Tang has gained.

"People are eager to join Team Tang," McKinney said.

"When people come to the Polar Plunge, and they see Team Tang having a lot of fun, they want to be a part of it," McKinney said.  "Team Tang has made a big impression in the four years of plunging. But William plays a huge part. He is known throughout the city."

As the team continues to grow in size, O'Connell and McKinney agree that Tang is the life blood of the team.

"We just follow his lead," O'Connell said.

Come Sunday, Tang will be reading roll call making sure everyone on the team is ready for the plunge.

The group will hold a silent auction fundraiser at McGill's Bar and Grill in Albany Park, 4553 N. Pulaski Road, Thursday ahead of Sunday's Polar Plunge.

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