College and university students usually take loans or consider part-time jobs to pay for their tuition and other fees. A University of Wisconsin student, who friends call 'Silo', has found a new means to gather the amount - through competitive eating contests!
Eric Dahl, a computer engineering student ranks number three in the world for competitive eating at All Pro Eating events. So far, the 220-pound champion has earned more than $18,000 in prize money or merchandise that helped pay for his education.
"I'm eating for my education," Dahl said. "It helps me get through."
Dahl began competing in 2011, at the former Big Red's Steakhouse in Madison. He didn't want to pay for his meal so he took part in a challenge. Participants were asked to finish a three-pound cheese steak sandwich in less than 10 minutes to avoid paying the bill. The former high school graduate finished the challenge in 5 minutes, 50 seconds.
"It just started rolling from there," Dahl said.
Dahl received his first pay check from Dickey's Barbecue Pit in suburban Minneapolis. He earned $250 for eating nine pulled-pork sandwiches in six minutes.
Talking about the competitive spirit in such challenges, Dahl says it feels like professional wrestling.
"I really get pumped when the crowd starts cheering," Dahl said. "I'm friends with other competitive eaters, but once I'm on stage I don't have any friends."
In order to succeed in such contests, the 6-foot-3 Dahl walks a few miles every day, lifts weights twice a week, and plays intramural soccer and hockey. He eats a maximum of 3,100 calories a day, mostly vegetables to avoid increasing his waistline, and 10 pounds of cabbage or broccoli at one go followed by lots of water.
Silo will take part in a national pizza-eating contest in Library Mall at UW-Madison Saturday to win $1,000 in prize money.
