Students at Ole Miss might think they are strolling the streets of Italy when they walk in front of the Union on Monday, but, no, that's just Ole Miss student Chris Green in his element.
Green, a junior journalism major at Ole Miss and trainer of the United States Pizza Team, will be spinning dough all day Monday until he raises $5,000 for United Way.
Bailey Melton, station manager of Rebel Radio 92.1, said students can come to the Union at any time on Monday to donate. There will be buckets and containers set up at the Union and other places on campus, too, he said.
"We thought this would be something unique and interesting to get people to donate," Melton said. If $5,000 has not been raised by Monday evening, Green will return to the Union on Wednesday for a second attempt, he said.
Green, also known as "Chris G" from the Rebel Radio morning show, will begin spinning at 7 a.m. He said this is not only a good way to help United Way, but it will attract many people because it is different.
"I'll be spinning pizza for an ungodly amount of time, but that's okay," Green said. "It's for a good cause."
Green has been involved in pizza spinning competitions, where he usually spins from three to five minutes.
"I just got back from San Antonio at the Alamo Pizza Festival, so I've been in pizza spinning competitions," he said. "But I've never done the whole endurance side of it."
Green's interest in pizza spinning was sparked three years ago, when he was 19. His parents, who publish a pizza trade magazine, traveled to Italy to cover the World Pizza Championship and took him with them.
"I saw them and thought, 'I could do that,'" he said.
And he did. Through a competition in Los Angeles, Green became a part of the U.S. Pizza Team. He then went on to become the trainer of the team, and, at 6-feet-4 inches, he is the tallest pizza spinner in the world.
Although most people are on the team to promote their pizza company, Green is a member for other reasons.
"It's fun," he said. "I like to compete, and it's definitely a conversation piece."
This experience, much more than a hobby, has provided Green with many opportunities.
He has already appeared on shows, including "Good Morning America" with Diane Sawyer, ESPN's "Cold Pizza" and the Food Network.
"I even heard there was a clip of me on Oprah the other day," he said.
On Nov. 1, he and members of the team will appear on Fox News as a part of the New York Pizza Show – the largest pizza show on the East Coast.
Not only has his experience on the United States Pizza Team provided him with opportunities for fame and fun, but, on Monday, it will offer him an opportunity for service.
