Polar Plunge concert awarded to Brockport
Annual spring concert hosted by BSG potentially cancelled due to budget issues
By Jim Krencik
SPORTS EDITOR
The Brockport Student Government’s budgetary problems are potentially preventing the organization from hosting a stand-alone spring semester concert, but a fundraising success means that the campus will not go silent of live music.
Lady Antebellum will be the first country music band in recent memory to perform on campus Feb. 28, with a free concert at the Seymour College Union Ballroom. The up-and-coming Georgia-based band’s single “Love Don’t Live Here” peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Country Charts, with a full-length debut and a tour with Martina McBride due for the spring.
The closed concert is coming to Brockport thanks to the donations to the eighth Annual Polar Plunge. College students and local celebrities braved the cold waters at Charlotte Beach, raising more than $6,000 for the Special Olympics, New York Inc. The amount was the highest of the participating local colleges competing in the “Cool School Challenge.”
The concert will be open to students, faculty and staff only.
“Thank you for your dedication to this fundraiser,” Programming Coordinator for Campus Life, Lisa Johnson said to all participants in an e-mail. “Whether you took the plunge, helped raise money, donated yourself, or helped spread the word, your efforts are very much appreciated,”
“I would like to personally thank the entire college community for pulling together and helping support the Special Olympics, New York Inc.,” Jeremy Becker said. “The Polar Plunge brought our campus together in a way that is truly inspiring.”
Becker, a junior, was mainly responsible for bringing the activity to Brockport. A great amount of work and effort was put into the organization of the event by Becker, who is an intern with Special Olympics, New York Inc.
“He deserves the credit,” BSG Treasurer Kyle Amendola said. “He put a lot of work into organizing everything.”
BSG is currently looking into a possible “up-and-coming hip-hop artist that is topping the charts.” Bids are currently being made and a decision will be hopefully be announced by Friday, Feb. 15.
It was previously discovered that BSG did not have enough funds to cover the costs of a standalone concert without compromising other events. Last year, jam band Of A Revolution performed at the Tuttle North Ice Arena, with costs upward of $70,000. BSG currently has $40,000 left in the promotion budgets.
BSG is also currently planning a committee to assist with Brock-the-Port decisions. It is hoped that a band will be able to perform at a new and improved kind of Brock-the-Port, which will most likely be held off-campus for the second year.