Jackson Free Press

It was a no-brainer for former TV sports anchor Tony Bahou when the position for president and CEO of Special Olympics Mississippi opened up in July 2014. The job let Bahou combine his love of sports and giving back to his adoptive state and community.

"When I retired from TV, the only thing I missed was the adrenaline rush of working on a story, but nothing beats the feeling of giving back," Bahou said. "So, when this job opened, and (I got) the chance to both do work in sports and give back to the community, I just jumped on it."

Bahou moved to Gulfport, Miss., in 1999 from Houston to work at WXXV-TV as a sports announcer. While on the Gulf Coast, Bahou fell in love with Mississippi and has made the state his home ever since.

In 2000, Bahou left WXXV to become the sports director of WAPT-TV in Jackson. He stayed with WAPT until 2006, when he retired after 14 years in media. While with WAPT, Bahou won an Emmy Award for his part in team coverage of Hurricane Katrina.

Before joining Special Olympics Mississippi in May 2014, Bahou worked with the United Way and as PR and communications manager for Mississippi Blood Services.

Bahou had a hand in putting together the first Unified Egg Bowl this past November as both fans and students of Mississippi State and the University of Mississippi came together to support Special Olympics Mississippi. For the event, Special Olympics athletes got to play flag football with traditional college students.

The Unified Egg Bowl wasn't the only idea the 45-year-old had when he interviewed for his current position. Bahou also came up with Polarpalooza, a first-time event for Special Olympics Mississippi.

Polarpalooza is an all-day event where people can jump in the reservoir, enjoy a chili cookoff and listen to live music.

"When I interviewed for this job, I researched other successful events by Special Olympics (organizations) around the country, and this was one that was used all over," Bahou said. "I wanted to make this a big event.

"Everyone has seen the polar bear jump, but I wanted our event to be more," Bahou said. "This time of year in Jackson or the metro area, there isn't a big music event or big band atmosphere, and, of course, in Mississippi we love to eat, so we added the chili cookoff."

This year also has the added bonus of the event taking place on Valentine's Day.

"We originally targeted the last week of January, but that didn't work out," Bahou said. "We then thought the second weekend of February would be a great kickoff (point without) a lot of competition."

It won't be every year that this event will take place on Valentine's Day, but Bahou and his staff have run with the idea. Out of the several options for jumping, one is a Lover's Leap, where you and your significant other jump together.

"You can leap with your loved one or leap alone, or maybe meet someone by coming to the event," Bahou said. "But the ultimate thing would be two people getting married and taking the leap. I asked around this year and no luck, but if anyone wants to make that leap next year, we can make it happen."

Tickets to this year's event are: $40 for admittance, which includes hearing four bands and a taste of chili; $75 to take the leap, which includes a T-shirt; $150 for two admissions and one chicken hat if you're scared to take the plunge; $200 for the lovers' leap, which includes two t-shirts and two robes; and $10 general admission for kids under 15 years old, and $25 for them to take the leap.

Attendees can also pay $40 for a general admission ticket and upgrade to take the plunge if they change their mind. Event organizers request attendees to leap responsibly, since adult beverages will be available.

The proceeds from this event will provide free medical screening, athlete travel and uniforms for Special Olympics Mississippi. Bahou's goal is for 100 people to jump this year, though he wants even more than that.

He hopes headlining musical act North Mississippi Allstars draws in a crowd but was quick to point out that people will enjoy Jarekus Singleton, Mustache the Band, and Stogdaddy and the Good Time Band as well.

The event is this Saturday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Madison Landing in Ridgeland. For more information, call Jenny Woodruff at 601-856-7748, ext. 104, or visit the Special Olympics website for more information on Polarpalooza.