Last Monday, Fox television's tongue-in-cheek "Sexiest Bachelor in America" contest drew millions of women viewers to the sassy version of a men's beauty pageant, in which 51 studly contestants vied for the title as well as a $100,000 grand prize.
So what was it like to stand in front of legions of American women and sustain a barrage of objectifying comments from host Caroline Rhea?
"It was lots of fun," claims 1999 Commerce School graduate Teddy Sears. Sears represented the state of Maryland in the contest, and although he didn't make the top 10 cut, he still describes the pageant as "an awesome experience."
But at first, he didn't want to get involved. The University alumnus had spent several months working on a catamaran in Hawaii after graduation and had also begun modeling in the Aloha State.
Incidentally, Sears' first exposure to modeling came during his junior year at the University, when he strutted his stuff in a runway show for Spring Fling.
"It was student-run, so it wasn't too serious. It sort of picqued my interest in modeling," said Sears.
Sears moved home to Bethany Beach in Maryland to lifeguard for the summer, and when his agent sent him the Bachelor application, he thought "it sounded cheesy."
"It sounded like a male beauty contest, something that didn't interest me. My reaction was 'no,'" said Sears.
After some thought, however, Sears decided that the show "would be a great opportunity to network and meet a lot of people."
"There was the off-chance of being discovered, so I put all my hesitations on hold" and decided to apply, he explained of his decision.
Three or four pages of questions and several phone calls with Fox producers later, he was on his way to Las Vegas. On the preliminary questionnaire, Sears -- who transferred from the University of Maryland -- listed his proudest moment as "graduating from Virginia."
Once in Las Vegas -- where the actual show was taped over a month ago -- Sears had an incredible time and became good friends with several contestants. In fact, this week he leaves to fly to Los Angeles with fellow contestants Mr. Missouri and Mr. North Dakota.
Although he didn't know them before the pageant, Sears quickly befriended the hunks and describes them as "the type of kids I would have lived with at Virginia."
The three competitors are going to "shop around and pound the pavement" to attempt to find work in the ultra-competitive world of modeling and acting. "We want to strike while the iron is hot," he explained.
Sears also became friends with Mr. Virginia Tom Gill, who won the contest.
"Tom and I got along really well," Sears said. "We both lifeguard during the summer and we have a lot in common."
In Las Vegas, the two contestants gambled together, hung out together and shared a ride to the airport. "We agreed to keep in touch."
The fact that Sears shared a ride to the airport with the sexiest bachelor in America doesn't particularly impress those who knew Gill before his sudden rise to fame. First-year College student Josie Daniels graduated from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where Gill taught her ancient world history and AP Government and coached her on the swim team.
"He's a good guy," said Daniels, who has talked to her former teacher and coach twice since he won.
"He didn't have lots to say. I think he's just overwhelmed," she said.
A few days after the show aired, however, Gill seemed to be taking all of the attention in stride. With the same charming demeanor which helped him smoothly answer risqué questions on national television ("Where's the most provocative place you've had sex?" Gill's answer: "As a Southern gentleman, we try not to talk about the where and when. But let's just say, it's always provocative."), Gill said he is still in shock.
While Sears' participation in the contest originated as a professional career move, Gill became involved purely by chance. During a visit to San Diego earlier this year, Gill was approached by some of Fox's production assistants, but said he was "extremely hesitant," knowing the network's "track record," also taking into consideration his role as a teacher.
"I didn't know if it was something that was conducive to my job as an educator and coach," he said.
After much consideration, however, Gill decided the benefits of applying outweighed the negatives.
"I guess I was in the right place at the right time," he said, but chuckled and added, "or you never know. Maybe the wrong place at the wrong time. The biggest thing for me was that it was a calculated risk and I took it. It's not something I would usually do."
This modest, come-what-may approach to his new high-profile status showcases the side of his personality that has endeared him to those who have known him for years. Jeanna Bergfield, another first-year College student who took Gill's AP Government class last year, explained that while students thought "he was cute," he's also "a really nice guy and really down to earth."
Fourth-year Comm School student Tara Brewer has worked with Gill for the past three summers as a lifeguard in Virginia Beach.
"He's the perfect person for this type of thing," she said. "He's really good at being charming and saying the right things without coming across as being cocky or overconfident."
Despite this natural allure, several former students and friends expressed surprise that Gill was on the show.
First-year College student Brandon Martin, who took Gill's government class last year, said he "was completely taken aback. It was pretty unbelievable."
When Bergfield heard from friends at home that Gill was representing Virginia in the pageant, she said she was "completely taken by surprise."
"A lot of former students have been shaking their heads," Gill laughed, but maintains that one of the most positive results of the pageant has been the amount of support and communication he has received.
"I have received word from so many people, especially my current and former students," he said. But all of them have been "very supportive, keeping me in check."
As far as his current plans, Gill intends to continue at his present job, at least for the time being.
"I really enjoy teaching and coaching, and I'm not rushing to find a new career at this point, but it would be ludicrous for me not to keep my eyes open," said Gill.
Sears also has his eyes on the future. Despite a recent brief stint as an extra in the upcoming World War II movie "To End All Wars," he says that he plans to focus mostly on modeling.
However, he regrets that he didn't take any drama courses during his time at the University. He urges current students to "take advantage of what U.Va. has to offer. Take even the most basic acting class to just to meet people and improve your confidence."
And his advice to aspiring actors and models?
"There's no better time than right now. You always have your excellent U.Va. degree to fall back on," said Sears.
Gill concurs, and reiterates that his new fame and money -- which he plans to use to help finance a down payment on a house -- was instigated by a well thought out risk, which has taught him a very important lesson.
"You shouldn't be afraid to go out there and take a chance," said Gill.
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