The Dip for Dozer occurs annually on the second Saturday of February at Lake Ripley Park in Cambridge, WI! Save the date - February 10, 2024.
July 27, 2004, was a normal day in Cambridge. Like any other small town speckled throughout Wisconsin, folks were at work, farmers in the field, and the warmth of the day was around us. It was that afternoon that tragedy struck the little, close-knit community. It is the type of tragedy that only happens in other communities.
It was the year that Dustin Zuelsdorf, a Senior at Cambridge High School and a well-respected high school student, was looking forward to. With football practice around the corner, “this would be the year”. The fans of the sport were certain number, “52” affectionately known as “Dozer,” would be instrumental to this year’s success. It was the year that CHS would be hopeful of taking the championship and moving on to the playoffs with high expectations. It was the school year that he and his classmates had been working toward. The Class of 2005 would complete a chapter in their lives that had been instrumental in building their character, personalities, individualism, and creating their dreams for their next chapter.
July 27th is the day that changed many in the Cambridge community. The grief of losing Dustin in a tragic motorcycle accident was more than some could come to grips with. It was a loss that many knew would not subside with time.
The scholarship fund started in 2004, and raised the funds for the initial scholarships through a pair of fisherees and ATV raffles. The class of 2005, Dozer's class, was the first recipients of the Dozer 52 Scholarships. There were five scholarships awarded that year, to some of Dozer's closest friends, in the amount of $1,052.52 a piece.
About a year after that tragic day, the Evans family decided to present an idea that would honor the memory of Dustin. After formulating a vision for a special day in Cambridge, a small group that included Dale and Kim Zuelsdorf (Dustin’s mom & dad) gathered to listen to what Joe and Jana had to say. The intent of the day when it was presented, and still the primary focus now, is to have a day to honor Dustin. To pay tribute to his memories, celebrate life, and create a legacy that will continue to honor him for many years to come. As a result, the money raised from the event is placed in a perpetual scholarship fund titled the Dozer 52 Football Scholarship Fund to award senior football players who exhibit an outstanding commitment to the Cambridge Football Program, and to their classmates, family, and community. With skeptical looks and after laughs that represented “you have got to be kidding,” subsided, it was agreed to “why not give it a try,” and the Dip for Dozer was brought to life.
With no budget and some crazy ideas of how it would/could work, the first “Dip for Dozer” was set for Saturday, February 11, 2006. With no funds to cover the cost of the event, Jana Evans turned to her employer, Badger Bank, for financial assistance. The first “Dip” was considered a success by the committee that worked hard to put it all together. The event started in 2006 with a small tarped tent for the waiting dippers, a pickup truck, an ice shanty to change out of their wet clothes, and a small hole cut by whom we fondly now call the “Logistics Committee”. The temperature was 29 degrees, we had 27 dippers, and they collected $3,964.00 in pledges. In addition, raffles and drawings were done to raise additional funds that day. In their minds, a HUGE SUCCESS, so it was decided to make it an annual event.
Each year, they have seen steady growth in the event from the participants, pledgers, spectators, and the amount of money raised. In addition, they have grown out of the small tarped tent, pickup, and ice shanty. There are now three 20x30 heated tents, restroom facilities, and a larger sound system, all thanks to the generous support from the Cambridge community.
In 2011, Turkey Bowling was added to the slate of activities to honor Erik Beirmeier, another member of the community who lost his life at a very young age. Although very young, Erik had a passion for bowling, so those funds are placed into the Lake Ripley Lanes Bowling Buddies fund in his memory. In 2013, the temperature was a balmy 25 degrees, we were 7 dippers shy of our goal of 100 dippers, and we raised $18,552.00. And in 2018, we had 112 dippers raise over $21,000.
The event at Lake Ripley Park in Cambridge now includes the Dip for Dozer with a costume contest, turkey bowling, ice sculpting, kites on ice, hot food, and more. They continue to follow up on our event each year by celebrating our successes and announcing winners of our various categories at Rockdale Bar. We have raffles and free food available in addition to live entertainment to cap off the day.
To date, this special day in February (always the second Saturday in February) has raised in excess of $225,000.00 and has awarded over 74 scholarships worth more than $183,000.00. Most importantly, it has brought the Cambridge community together to celebrate memories, life, and provide healing for the community. Save the date and come see Andie Uelmen at the event!
