Spring Break
The Daily OrangeRace | Wabash College special by dragging airplane
By Matt Levin
Posted: 9/12/06, 12:52 AM EST Section: Sports
The Little Giants are big men.
Each year the football team at Wabash College demonstrates its strength by dragging an airplane. But the athletes are not showing off. They're using their bulk to raise money for Special Olympics Indiana, proving these big men also have big hearts.
Wabash has participated in the FedEx Plane Pull at the Indianapolis International Airport for the last four years. Every August, days before the Wabash players check into training camp, the players entertain each other and numerous spectators by partaking in this unique preseason ritual.
At 221 pounds, Wabash senior Chris Greisl is not only a hulking linebacker for the Little Giants, but also the team community service coordinator who arranged this year's event on August 12. He said the Wabash team was thrilled to return to the friendly competition.
"There's been a lot of enthusiasm and everything like that," Greisl said. "It's a fun atmosphere. We didn't really know what to expect because all the (Plane Pull participants) knew we were going to go out there. They talk a little smack."
Members of fire departments, police departments and local businesses comprised the record 36 teams competing in the 2006 benefit that raised $68,000. Greisl said many of these teams were "pumped up" about competing against college athletes.
Teams of 20 pay an entrance fee of $1,000 before attempting to rope tow the 147,000-pound Boeing 727 a distance of 12 feet. The team that hauls fastest wins the Plane Pull.
Although shorthanded with 14 players this year, the Little Giants managed to raise more than $1,100 to finish in eighth place and earn many new fans. The football players also spent time at the benefit hanging out with Special Olympics' athletes.
"As far as we know they've had a great time because they keep coming back," said Joy Mahoney, a Special Olympics Indiana spokesperson. "They wear their jerseys because they look like a team. People are always interested every year to see how Wabash is going to do."
Each year the football team at Wabash College demonstrates its strength by dragging an airplane. But the athletes are not showing off. They're using their bulk to raise money for Special Olympics Indiana, proving these big men also have big hearts.
Wabash has participated in the FedEx Plane Pull at the Indianapolis International Airport for the last four years. Every August, days before the Wabash players check into training camp, the players entertain each other and numerous spectators by partaking in this unique preseason ritual.
At 221 pounds, Wabash senior Chris Greisl is not only a hulking linebacker for the Little Giants, but also the team community service coordinator who arranged this year's event on August 12. He said the Wabash team was thrilled to return to the friendly competition.
"There's been a lot of enthusiasm and everything like that," Greisl said. "It's a fun atmosphere. We didn't really know what to expect because all the (Plane Pull participants) knew we were going to go out there. They talk a little smack."
Members of fire departments, police departments and local businesses comprised the record 36 teams competing in the 2006 benefit that raised $68,000. Greisl said many of these teams were "pumped up" about competing against college athletes.
Teams of 20 pay an entrance fee of $1,000 before attempting to rope tow the 147,000-pound Boeing 727 a distance of 12 feet. The team that hauls fastest wins the Plane Pull.
Although shorthanded with 14 players this year, the Little Giants managed to raise more than $1,100 to finish in eighth place and earn many new fans. The football players also spent time at the benefit hanging out with Special Olympics' athletes.
"As far as we know they've had a great time because they keep coming back," said Joy Mahoney, a Special Olympics Indiana spokesperson. "They wear their jerseys because they look like a team. People are always interested every year to see how Wabash is going to do."
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