INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The NCAA announced its yearly finalists for the 2024 Division II Award of Excellence, an award that highlights community engagement efforts across the division. For the second straight year, MSU Moorhead has been named a finalist for its Polar Plunge event in April 2023, which raised over $13,000 for Special Olympics Minnesota. 

"I am excited to see that the amazing work of our SAAC and student-athletes in giving back and serving our community is being recognized at a national level," said MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson. "I am proud of them for embracing and upholding the values of NCAA Division II."

MSUM is one of 25 university finalists along with two conference finalists. At its Polar Plunge event, MSUM's SAAC raised $13,684 for Special Olympics Minnesota thanks to over 100 plungers. MSUM's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee helped mobilize fellow MSUM student-athletes, coaches and staff to take the plunge. Thanks to SAAC's efforts, MSUM's athletic programs raised $8,951 by themselves.

Plungers from across the area descended upon Nemzek Hall on a rainy, chilly evening in Moorhead. In total, 116 signed up to plunge with the weather the least of their worries. Instead of jumping into a frozen lake, participants in the first ever Moorhead Polar Plunge jumped into a custom-designed mobile plunge unit called the Plungester, which was located outside of Nemzek Hall. MSUM students and community members were welcome to take the plunge, enjoying a live DJ and competing in contests for best splash, dress to impress and people's choice. 

Even MSUM coaches and administration got in on the Polar Plunge fun. Head women's basketball coach Karla Nelson was among the plungers as was volleyball head coach Kari Thompson. MSUM athletic director Chad Markuson challenged Dragon athletics on Wednesday morning, laying down a $300 donation mark to get Markuson to plunge himself. The mark was met as Markuson also took a leap into the Plungester. 

Affinity Plus offered a $25 donation to plungers as a part of their $75 fundraising minimum to celebrate the 25th year of Affinity Plus. All proceeds went to Special Olympics Minnesota, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. 

A longtime supporter of Special Olympics Minnesota, Affinity Plus has supported Polar Plunge events taking place statewide for the past three years by helping to kickstart individual fundraising campaigns. Money raised during the Polar Plunge—the biggest fundraiser for Special Olympics Minnesota—supports year-round athletic and health-based services for thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. 

The event went so well that MSUM is planning its second Polar Plunge event for the spring of 2024. 



MSUM won the 2023 NCAA Division II Award of Excellence following the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's (SAAC) Make-a-Wish intiative in conjunction with Joe's Heroes. The event honored Dragons superfan Joe Keller (a Make-A-Wish recipient and advocate). Keller was an MSUM student, member of the MSUM GO! TEAM and Dragon athletics superfan who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of five. Keller had helped the MSUM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee with past Make-A-Wish fundraising efforts. Keller passed away in the summer of 2021.

The grand prize winner will be announced on January 13. 

Each active Division II school and conference is eligible to submit its best community engagement activity and/or event that promotes student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities. A few initiatives schools may consider include student-athlete leadership development, educational programming, military appreciation, game environment, Make-A-Wish® or Team IMPACT®.

Division II honors its members each year for conducting events that promote student-athletes giving back and serving as leaders within their communities or on their campuses. A committee of athletics administrators determined this year's finalists, and the national Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee selected the top three finalists, who will be announced at the Division II business session on Jan. 13 at the 2024 NCAA Convention in Phoenix.

Each finalist will receive $500. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500, the first runner-up will receive $1,250 and the second runner-up will receive $1,000. All prize money is intended to be used for future SAAC initiatives or community engagement events.