Pi Beta Phi crowns Mr. Hillsdale

By Elizabeth Crawford Collegian Reporter

Eight lucky men representing Hillsdale College’s fraternities and organizations competed for the venerable title of “Mr. Hillsdale” on Nov. 11.

Every fall, Pi Beta Phi hosts “Mr. Hillsdale” as a philanthropy event to raise money for their philanthropy, Read > Lead > Achieve.

The competition was divided into three rounds: formal wear, beachwear, and talent. The judges - Visiting Assistant Professor of Art Roxanne Kaufman, Associate Professor of Economics Charles Steele, and Assistant Professor of Biology Christopher Heckel - determined the winner based on contestant performances. Emcees junior Hannah Allen and senior Taylor Royston introduced the eight contestants, all of whom put forth their best efforts to win the title of “Mr. Hillsdale.”

When asked what his ideal date was during the formal wear round, freshman Sigma Chi John Weber said, “A girl.” He later clarified that while he didn’t have a type he preferred blondes, and that he would take the lucky woman out to Applebee’s for their first date.

During the formal wear round, the hosts teased Niedfeldt representative, senior Jack Golden, who is engaged to Pi Beta Phi junior, Shannon Spahr.

“This next upcoming contestant is one we have consistently seen in the Pi Phi basement, and if it was any other man we’d be concerned,” Allen joked. Allen and Royston pressed Golden about his ideal date.

“My ideal date is Shannon Spahr because her eyes are beautiful,” Golden said.

All the girls sighed in the audience, swept away by his romantic response.

Another memorable contestant, Delta Tau Delta representative Jack Hammons promoted hope and change for Hillsdale. When Hammons walked on stage, his fraternity brothers chanted “Hammy, Hammy, Hammy.”

“I believe that as Mr. Hillsdale, I want to make real changes,” Hammons said. “I stand on a platform of improving Hillsdale in any way possible, and if that means free tuition, then so be it.”

The next segment proved more exhilarating than the first, since the men had to wear swimsuits and woo the audience with cringey pickup lines.

“Their pick-up lines were very uncomfortable,” Allen said.

Senior Nicholas Akers, representative of the ultimate frisbee team, sported a lei, coconut bra, and swim trunks.

“If you wax my board, I’ll let you ride some waves later,” Akers said, surfboard in hand.

All the women in the audience squealed while the guys squirmed in their seats.

Golden, on the other hand, rocked a more modest look, complete with sunglasses and American flag Crocs.

“Hey girl, are you my term paper? Because I’ve been putting it off for awhile, but I’m ready to lose a whole lot of sleep with you tonight,” Golden said, while looking at his date and fiancee Spahr.

A ripple of “ohs” flooded the audience, as everyone broke out cheering for Golden’s pick-up line.

Another memorable swimsuit competitor, junior Zach Tong representing Delta Sigma Phi, wore a white tank top, swim trunks, and slides with gray socks.

“You wear socks to the beach?” Allen asked.

“Yes,” Tong said. “Do you ever get sand in your shoes?” Allen asked again.

“I don’t,” Tong replied, and the audience laughed.

After the swimsuit section, the last and final segment of the evening was the talent show.

Sophomore Charlie Birt, Alpha Tau Omega’s representative, sang “You’ll Be Back,” from the Broadway musical “Hamilton,” while decked out in a King George III costume. The audience was impressed that Birt could hit the high notes and maintain his incredible British accent.

The most impressive part of the show, however, was Hammons’ magic trick, involving a Constitution reader, a Tiger King Instagram fan page, and a lot of Delta Tau Delta fraternity pictures.

“I’m going to do a magic trick that doesn’t go over five minutes and hopefully isn’t terrible,” Hammons said.

Using the reader, Hammons asked Associate Professor of Biology Christopher Heckel to pick a page and memorize its number and the first word. Showing the audience the page, and without looking at the reader himself, Hammons slid a fraternity picture into the reader to use as a bookmark.

Using a framed Delta Tau Delta picture, Hammons undid the back of the frame to reveal the same page which Heckel had chosen from the reader. Then, he asked the audience to look up the word and number on the “Tiger King” Instagram page.

On the account’s story, the number “377” and the word, “explanation” were listed. “Explanation” and “377” were the same page number and word which professor Heckel had chosen.

The crowd went wild.

After much deliberation from the judges, Akers won second place for making his version of a tequila sunrise, which he presented to the judges.

Hammons, however, won the competition, leaving him king of Hillsdale.

“Hours before the event, I was still getting things ready because I was so dedicated to making sure that I did everything I could to put on the best performance, because at the end of the day it’s for the kids,” Hammons said. “It’s for charity. So I’m just here to do what I can to help.”