About the Contest
Since Mr. Detroit Eagle 2009 will compete at International Mr. Leather 2009 in Chicago on Memorial Day weekend this contest will follow a format similar to that used at IML. Prior to the stage appearances each contestant was privately interviewed by the panel of judges. This is a non-scoring round but helps formulate the judges' opinion and understanding of the contestants involvement in and knowledge of the leather community. Each contestant will make three appearances on stage to answer a question presented by the Emcee. In each round the contestants will present themselves in three different images: Round One in "Bar/Cruise Wear", Round Two in a jockstrap, and Round Three in "Full Leather".
The judges will give each contestant a score of 0-100 for each round. Scores will be tabulated using the Olympic style of scoring of eliminating the lowest and highest score and calculating the remaining scores. The contestant with the highest total for all three rounds will become Mr. Detroit Eagle 2009.
The winner will receive a prize package that includes hotel accommodations for IML 2009, a title vest, free cover at all Detroit Eagle events during his title year, and a bar tab from the Detroit Eagle.
The Judges & Emcee
James Finley - Mr. Detroit Eagle 2008
James resides in Detroit with his partner, BullmanX. He is an active member of ICON Detroit who helps raise funds for local Detroit charities. James successfully completed law school this past May; one week before competing at IML. Just recently he found out that he passed the Michigan Bar exam and is now officially an attorney. It has been a very busy year for James and he appreciates all the support he has received from the community.
Matt Pavelich - Mr. Leatherman Toronto 2008
Matt was raised in Windsor and moved to Toronto in early 2007. He knew he would be part of the leather community ever since his first under age visit to the Interchange in Detroit. He has since embraced the community's traditions of mentoring, brotherhood, and service. Matthew has been an AIDS activist since the early 1980s and a gay press journalist. He is also a member of a team of MLTC titleholders whose work includes raising funds for the AIDS Committee of Toronto, examining cross-gear and cross-generational issues and exploring leather leadership and the role of titleholders.
Rich Wilson - Mr. Missouri Leather
Rich resides in and began his leather journey in Detroit, Michigan where most weekends he could be found at the Detroit Eagle with his partner Randy. Aside from serving as Mr. Missouri Leather, Rich is also a member of the Leather Archives & Museum, an associate member of Gateway MC in St. Louis, Missouri and a proud Member of Mama's Leather Family where his name is "Mama's Ten Pin". The name comes from his obsession with the sport of bowling and the frustrating reality of the number of 10 pins he leaves during any given game! He is a competitive bowler averaging 220 and has been bowling since the age of 7.
Dale Ross
Dale, a founder of LIFE-Detroit and a member of the Chicago Hellfire Club, has been active in Detroit’s Gay Leather Community for the last three decades. Dale has been a private practice counselor and therapist in Southfield, MI for 20+ years, lectures and writes for the general public and professionals, as well as developed and taught two graduate courses on the issues of Gay individuals where he always included a section on our Leather Community. Dale lives with his Friend, Ron and has been together for 27 years in an open relationship, they live in their suburban Detroit home.
Ron Coates
Ron is a retired teacher and counselor with the Detroit board of education. He has been an active volunteer with the LGBT community for over 30 years and has been honored with the volunteer of the year award. Ron was instrumental in raising over 50,000 dollars for the Triangle Foundation at the Detroit Eagle with cooperation of the owner, Frank. Ron and his partner just celebrated their 38th anniversary. You can find Ron on cold weekend nights at the coat check at the Detroit Eagle.
Mike G., Emcee
Mike has been apart of the Detroit leather community for many years and has emceed the Mr. Detroit Eagle contest sice its beginning in 1991. Mike lead Trident Detroit for 8 years and Trident International for 4 years.