University of North Carolina Athletics
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: Bunting: Go Jump In The Lake
August 22, 2003 | Football
Aug. 22, 2003
By Adam Lucas
Carolina's gameplan for how to beat Florida State is no longer a secret. After all, the Tar Heels announced it over a loudspeaker during Friday morning's practice.
John Bunting invited a group of Special Olympics athletes from Wilkes County to attend the morning session of practice. While talking to 24-year-old athlete Chris Clarida during a break in practice, Clarida told the Tar Heel head coach that he had the perfect gameplan to beat the Seminoles. Bunting was so impressed with Clarida's insights that he asked him to share them with the team.
With about 30 minutes left in practice, the entire Carolina roster gathered around the 10 Special Olympians.
"Chris told me he has the plan to beat Florida State," Bunting told his troops. "It is very appropriate and I want you to listen."
With that, Bunting handed the practice field microphone that is ordinarily used to time practice periods over to Clarida.
"If you want to beat Florida State," said Clarida, who won a gold medal in cycling at the World Games in Ireland this spring," you have to have minimal penalties. You can't have any turnovers. And you have to stop the run."
Clarida's simple prescription for success drew a high five from Jacque Lewis and a rousing cheer from the assembled Tar Heels.
But the Special Olympians weren't there just to pass along football tips. At a golf event earlier this year, Bunting was told about the "Polar Plunge," a fundraiser for the Special Olympics that will take place on February 27 and 28 in Wilkesboro, NC. Participants solicit sponsorships and then plunge into a lake that hovers between 38 and 44 degrees during the winter.
"It's a breathtaking experience," said Bill Lyons, who accompanied the athletes to practice and originated the idea four years ago. "You have to scream and yell as you're going in because when you hit that water it grabs you."
The water, which varies from four feet to 12 feet, will grab Bunting this coming February. After being told about the event he immediately asked to participate. He will be the only ACC coach involved in the event and he has also drafted his wife, Dawn, to take the plunge. It will be a bit of d?j? vu for the couple, as they first got acquainted 15 years ago on Medford Lake in New Jersey. The football coach invited other athletic staffers to his home on the lake, and upon arriving, Dawn spotted Bunting standing by the dock.
Her response?
She pushed him in.
"Hey, it wasn't my fault," she said. "He was standing right by the edge of the dock. What would you do?"
Probably not tackle a ten-year NFL linebacker. But John Bunting showed even less hesitation when he was told about the Polar Plunge.
"He immediately looked at it and said, 'Let's do it,'" Lyons said. "His biggest response was that he wanted the athletes to come mingle with the players. He seems to be a person who loves the Special Olympics."
In fact, Bunting has been involved with the organization for over 25 years. While at Glassboro State from 1988-1991, he made it mandatory for all his players to participate in the local Special Olympics.
It's not mandatory for the Tar Heels, but several players made an effort to get to know their practice visitors. Defensive lineman Chase Page lingered after the sweltering two-hour practice to sign autographs and get to know the athletes, who became so comfortable with him that they starting recruiting him to take the Polar Plunge.
"We always worked with the Special Olympics in high school," Page said. "Seeing people not as fortunate as myself makes practice so much easier. This is just a game I'm playing. I wake up every morning and I'm healthy and happy. I know that sounds corny but it's true."
Although Page wisely declined to personally take the frigid plunge, he hopes to help his head coach prepare for the February event. After all, there's no better way to get used to icy water than a Gatorade bath on the sideline.
"I'd be more than happy to get cold Gatorade dumped on me after we beat Florida State," Bunting said.
He's also not above getting a little revenge on his wife. Asked if the setting might provide the perfect opportunity for Dawn's lakeside tackle many years ago, the third-year Carolina head coach cocked an eyebow.
"That is a strong possibility," he said. "But let's keep it a secret."
To sponsor Coach Bunting's Polar Plunge, contact Bill Lyons at 336-838-5949. The Special Olympics hope to raise over $100,000 with the event.
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly, click here.
