ASU students know how to get down on Friday.
Playboy released its Top 10 Party Schools list on Friday as part of its May 2011 issue, and ASU came in third.
This year’s editors’ notes included “outrageous pool parties in February,” Mill Avenue District and the yearly “Undie Run” held on campus as the reasoning behind the ranking. They also mentioned that Nick Nolte is an ASU alumnus.
Playboy started the list of America’s top party schools in 1987, and only six lists have been released.
Playboy spokesman Steve Mazeika said the list will now be released annually because of all the great attention it receives.
“The students, alumni and readers all really get into it. People want their school to make the list,” Mazeika said.
Rankings used to consist of Playboy staffers visiting more than 250 schools nationwide and doing various interviews with club leaders, fraternities and people involved on campus.
“The methodology has changed a little bit with each ranking. What is really a huge advantage for us is utilizing social media,” Mazeika said.
Playboy has millions of Facebook and Twitter fans, which allows Playboy to interact with fans directly, he said.
Besides using social media to determine rankings, Mazeika said Playboy has campus representatives across the country, and they hold campus events as well.
Students, alumni, models and photographers all have an influence on rankings.
“ASU students definitely know how to have fun, but we work hard too,” political science senior Rudi O’Keefe-Zelman said. “Just because we’re a top party school doesn't mean ASU isn't accomplishing great things in other areas.”
Overall, Mazeika said campuses are rated based on male to female ratio, academics, sports teams, how involved students are on campus, proximity to outdoor activities, the weather and local bar scenes.
“All of these things determine a unique and great experience on campus,” Mazeika said.
People can always write in to Playboy and say why they believe their school should be ranked too.
“I know a lot of kids who are here just because we are on that list,” business communications senior Lynlea Marino said.
Marino is proud to be on the list and said she works very hard to fuel the Arizona alcohol economy.
In 1987, ASU was ranked 13th in the nation. In 2002, ASU gained the glory of No. 1 for not only the Mill Avenue District, but also its proximity to Mexico, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Lake Havasu. Celebrities like Derek Jeter and Jenna Jameson were also spotted drinking with students on Mill Avenue.
In 2006, ASU claimed the No. 1 spot again, but not for academics or sports. During this time, a student body vice president who was also in a fraternity appeared in a pornographic film that was shot on campus.
In 2009, ASU went down to No. 15, but the Playboy magazine issue noted ASU did not lose its “debauchery” and still has “gorgeous girls and the bars on Mill Avenue.”
In 2010, ASU went back up to the sixth spot for its Thursday through Sunday party habits.
Communications junior Amanda Coloma said she was surprised ASU was ranked so high.
“I am now thinking ASU should maybe tone it down since we are paying to go to a university that is supposed to help us in our lifelong careers,” Coloma said.
ASU spokeswoman Julie Newberg said in an email that ASU’s focus has always been on making sure students have the environment and opportunities to grow intellectually.
“ASU does not consider Playboy’s evaluation of our nation’s universities to be of significant merit,” Newberg said.
Reach the reporter at tchavez3@asu.edu
