Axe aims to 'pimp fraternity showers'
Body spray, shower gel company will give one shower a $15,000 makeover
By Garrett McCulloch
October 12, 2005
A UW fraternity could turn its bathroom shower's grime to gold -- and maybe mirrored walls.
A contest sponsored by Axe Shower Gel -- a company with a reputation of innuendo -- will select one fraternity shower somewhere in the country for a $15,000 upgrade. Participating showers will be judged entirely on their levels of filth via a public Internet vote.
"I really don't know what to think about that," said Brett Neilson, president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Neilson said while he wouldn't have a problem with one of his fraternity's members signing one of the house's showers up for the contest, he doesn't think a chapter-wide signup is worth the fraternity's time.
Brooke Zeller, a spokesperson for the contest, said members of UW fraternities have already sent in entries.
To enter the contest, a fraternity member must submit a photograph of the house's grimy shower and a short essay describing why it should be "pimped."
According to an Axe press release, the winning shower will see improvements such as fold-down seats, support handles, adhesive grips, waterproof MP3 players and mirrors. The release promises that the "pimped-out" shower will be "a new place to entertain ladies." The winning fraternity will also get to host a "steamy" party with the "Axe Angels."
Neilson said his fraternity likely wouldn't even approach the winners, adding that Pi Kappa Alpha's members clean the house's showers on a regular basis, and the dirty fraternity stereotypes don't help the Greek community improve its image.
"If this is targeted at fraternities and their stereotypical filth, I don't think that helps the Greek system at all," he said.
Delta Upsilon president Nick Walker agreed, saying parts of the contest take away from more positive fraternity events.
"It's just one more thing in the press, when we're trying to concentrate more on things like philanthropy," he said.
Entries will be accepted until Oct. 28 through the contest's Web site,
www.pimpmyfraternityshower.com. Voting will take place between Nov. 1-14.
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