Running around in short shorts singing Backstreet Boys and spoofing 1980s music videos Pepperdine’s male athletes did whatever it took for a chance to be crowned “Mr. All American.”
Wednesday evening’s annual Mr. All American pageant featured members of the men’s basketball baseball tennis track and volleyball teams singing dancing and posing for an audience of more than 100 and a panel of four Pepperdine faculty and staff members. The event consisted of a swimsuit talent and question-and-answer section.
The pageant has practically become a rite of passage for male athletes. Accordingly most of the contestants were underclassmen forced to participate by older teammates.
Freshmen Hugh Clarke Jenson Turner and Daniel Moss representing the tennis team were anxious to go on stage.
“We choreographed a bit the day before Clark said. We’re excited but nervous too.”
The cross country and track runners had a similar experience.
“I was told that I was in it on March 21 and the deadline to drop out was the 18th so I really had no choice said runner Evan Anderson.
For the talent portion, Anderson and his teammates performed a reenactment of an average” day at track practice filled with flips human pyramids and pranks leaving the audience in rolls of laughter.
“It was extremely entertaining and everyone was having a great time said sophomore Brittany Clark, who is a sprinter for women’s track.
Most students simply attended the event to support their friends and be entertained. But others had more lofty expectations.
I’m looking for confidence and structure said junior water polo player Clayton Snyder. I want to laugh. I want to feel like I am a part of the show he said with emotion.
During the question-and-answer segment, hosts Emily Wynne and Mark Hulse, who are senior athletes, challenged contestants with questions about their personal theme song, perfect date and what celebrity they would most want to be.
When answering about his top three personality traits, freshman basketball player Keion Bell felt inspired to break out his own, unique, rendition of Backstreet Boys’ I Want it that Way.”
After demonstrating the diversity of his musical ability by also performing “A Whole New World” and proudly sporting bright red athletic shorts with suspenders during the swimsuit competition Bell clinched the 2009 “Mr. All American” title.
Student Athletic Advisory Committee officials said that although they scrambled to prepare for the event they were pleased with the result.