By Samantha McCoy Staff writer
The annual Mr. SU competition will take place Thursday, April 6 at 8 p.m. in the Evert Dining Room, with applications for male student-athletes to participate due Thursday, March 30.
There will be a $2 admission fee at the door, and all proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics.
The competition, held by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee every year, is meant to be a satire of traditional beauty pageants.
It can involve anything from a swimwear round to talent and question portions, according to Kaitlyn Wahila, coordinator of SAAC and head field hockey coach at Susquehanna.
“Susquehanna has held the competition for six years as a community service act,” Wahila said.
“It’s really fun, just comic relief. Just being a coach and seeing athletes in a different atmosphere is funny. We aren’t just seeing them on a field; it’s another way to get to know them,” she added.
SAAC holds the competition not only for charity but as a celebratory event during Division III week, according to Wahila.
President of SAAC Leana Carvin said that she ran the 2016 pageant, and it is one of her favorite events on campus.
“Mr. SU is a male beauty pageant with satirical connotations hosted by student-athletes, for student-athletes,” Carvin said.
She added, “Following classic Sadie Hawkins rules, the male student-athlete contestants are nominated by female student-athletes and must compete through rigorous tests of formal wear, swimwear, performed talents and a final Q&A with the judges. It has never disappointed to be hysterical entertainment for everyone.”
Carvin said Mr. SU originated from an idea at a Landmark SAAC meeting.
“Susquehanna SAAC was looking to host a second event for the spring semester,” Carvin said.
“The idea of a male beauty pageant was spoken about among other schools. We took that idea and ran with it, and turned it into today as Mr. SU,” she continued.
SAAC is looking for seven to 10 male contestants. The panel of judges will consist mostly of coaches.
“It’s fun, no pressure, and you don’t have to know exactly what to say or do,” Wahila said. “There’s really no plan; just have fun with it and be willing to interact with the audience. It’s really easygoing and fun.”
Carvin also spoke about her experience with running the Mr. SU event in 2016.
“My experience last year was an unbelievable amount of fun,” Carvin said.
“We had such a great group of guys come out and put on a great show. We put in a lot of effort into the small details of how the event was going to run. We also moved the event into the cafeteria for the first time, which ended up being an awesome change of setting for the event,” Carvin added.
She also said that senior C.J. Williams will return as the MC.
“He did such a fabulous job, we couldn’t think of anyone else for the task this year,” Carvin said.
Those who wish to nominate themselves or a fellow male student-athlete must contact Wahila by email by March 30.
