Uncovered: Beavers bust into Playboy

Have you spotted the Beaver on the cover of "Playboy" magazine?

"Playboy" photography representatives toured 10 campuses in early April for their 'Girls of the Pac-10' cover story.

Two of OSU's own were selected for the spread.

One even made the cover.

Sara Jean, whose full name was not used in the issue or revealed to The Daily Barometer, is a senior in business and lives in Scappoose.

The native Oregonian posed wearing only school colors - in body paint - with a football in hand.

"Photo editors loved her photos and chose her to be on the cover," said Kendra Romagnola, publicist for the magazine. "She is sexy and smart."

According to Romagnola, Sara Jean did a playmate test and will be featured in 2006.

"She lived at the Playboy mansion while doing her shoot, as well as being on 'The Girl's Next Door' television show," Romagnola said.

Sara Jean took part in an autograph signing in Portland on Sept. 13.

"Over 150 people came to the event," Romagnola said. "The popularity of an Oregon student, especially one from the Portland area, drew a lot of people."

Robin Freeburn, a junior in interior design who wants to get into modeling, was also featured in the pictorial.

"I auditioned in April at the Best Western," Freeburn said. "I was one of the first there and I filled out an application that asked what I was willing to do."

Freeburn declined to do full nudity.

"My photo turned out OK, there wasn't too much airbrushing," Freeburn said. "I didn't notice too much of it on me."

Freeburn posed at a local Corvallis' residence by their backyard hot tub on an OSU towel.

"It was an intimate photo shoot," Freeburn recalled. "One lady did my makeup, and then there was the photographer and the lighting person."

Freeburn's parents are fine with their daughter in "Playboy" and are supportive.

"My mom covered my boobs when she showed my dad," Freeburn said.

Freeburn has received attention since the magazine hit the bookstore shelves.

"Only my first and middle name were printed, but I have received about 30 e-mails from people around the country that want to talk or be pen pals," Freeburn said.

Freeburn tried doing an search on the OSU online directory to see how easy it was to find herself.

She found herself within minutes.

"Its kind of weird that they would look me up, but people are pretty nice and mostly write to give complements," Freeburn said.

The magazine alone has drawn a lot of people's attention.

The Superette convenience store on 26th Street and Monroe Avenue usually sells five "Playboy" magazines a month.

So far, it has sold 150 and has 50 more on the way.

Only half a dozen are left on the magazine rack waiting to be purchased.

"We are not sure of the exact numbers, but in the area, retailers have sold hundreds over what they usually do," Romagnola said.

Borders Books Music Movies & Cafe on Ninth Street sold out Monday.

"'Playboy' called the store directly to see how we were doing," said Matt Steffensrud, an employee who also runs the magazine section.

Steffensrud also said that they have placed an order for 50 more.

On average, Borders receives around 30 copies monthly but has sold about 60 so far this month.

No official date has been set for Sara Jean's solo debut, but many eager Beavers will surely be waiting for it to hit the stands.

Shannon Salyer, staff writer

city@dailybarometer.com, 737-6376