Instead of jumping into Lake LaVerne to celebrate a Cyclone athletic victory, the ISU community will be taking the dive to raise money for a local charity.

About 360 people, including students and local celebrities, will take the Polar Bear Plunge Saturday.

Although there are only 26O participants signed up, Chris Ihle, director of Special Events for Special Olympics Iowa, estimated the number will increase by 100 participants the day of the event.

Greek Week, which includes the event as part of its festivities, pledged to raise $20,000 for Special Olympics Iowa through the plunge this year.

“The event has tripled in size from its first year,” Ihle said. “It wouldn’t be as successful as it is without the Iowa State greek community.”

ISU leaders will be joining students in their quest to raise money. ISU head football coach Dan McCarney, Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Hill and ISU hockey coach Al Murdoch will be among the first to take a dip in the lake.

Local celebrities Jeanette Trompeter and Roshini Rajkumar from KCCI-News Channel 8 won’t be there to cover the event — they’re going in the lake, too.

Greek participants made the choice to brave the lake’s murky waters because they said it is a good cause.

Veteran jumper Lindsay Juon, member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, 318 Pearson Ave., said participating is an exciting experience.

“It’s fun to say you’ve jumped in Lake LaVerne,” said Juon, sophomore in pre-business.

Students are carefully planning their clothing for the plunge. Miki Schmidt, sophomore in speech communication and member of Gamma Phi Beta, said she will not be daring enough to wear a swimsuit.

“I will probably wear old tennis shoes, pants and a sweatshirt,” she said.

Ihle has his own thoughts on the attire participants choose to don for the dip.

“If they can find $50 [to participate], they can wear whatever they want … within reason,” he said. “We don’t want this to turn into a spring break plunge.”

Ihle said last year’s jump resembled organized chaos.

“This year, we have a plan of action so things will go smoother,” he said.

Ihle said instead of everyone jumping in at once, the celebrities go first and then other participants will follow at incremental times.

Ihle said it’s not too late for people who still want to get involved.

“Those wanting to register can bring $50, come out and have fun,” he said. Day-of-the-event registration is from 5 p.m. until the plunge starts at 6 p.m.

Ihle said there will be a “pre-plunge party” at 5 p.m. on the North Terrace of the Memorial Union.