Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
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Coco Warner Reporting If you're a single guy who's looking to settle down, the idea of hundreds of women vying for your attention sounds pretty appealing, right?
Unless, all that attention comes from a practical joke your co-workers decide to play on you.
Coco Warner is looking at love this month, and today she's talking about how you find it.
You may recall the name Lance Archibald. This July, his co-workers at Logoworks put up a billboard along I-15 and launched a website, proclaiming his eligibility. The story became national news. But what's life like now for this bachelor, seven months later?
I decided to find out.
Thirty-two year old Lance Archibald would be the first person to tell you he's led a pretty charmed life so far. He has a good family, good friends and likes his job. He even got to hit the hardwood for Brigham Young University. And sure, he's single. But he thought he was doing okay on his own.
His co-workers begged to differ.
Noelle Bates/Logoworks: "We thought it was going to be a Utah County thing. We thought we'd get a few submissions, it would be funny. But then it just spiraled into this huge thing and took on a life of its own."
Lance Archibald: "I think shock was the first response. I don't think I really understood what it all meant. They said, 'Wait until you see the website.' Then it all kind of sunk in. Then once the media frenzy started-- it's a little, I mean a lot embarrassing. But it's funny, too."
Of course, they're referring to the billboard and accompanying website, datelance.com, which received so much attention-- more than 200 newspaper stories and 100 television mentions-- that Lance ended up logging nearly 2300 submissions.
Lance Archibald: "Some were jokes and you can't take them all seriously. But there were a lot of serious submissions. It's flattering that people who don't know you would want to meet you."
He has taken a few of the women out, but says he's more comfortable with conventional dating methods.
Noelle Bates/Logoworks: "I don't know that we'll be taking submissions for much longer. But it's really all kind of in Lance's hands at this point."
Coco Warner/Eyewitness News: "So even though the billboard has been down for the past four months, Lance still has to answer questions about this practical joke almost every day."
Lance Archibald: "I have to explain it every date I go on now."
But even Lance has to admit it makes a great ice-breaker.
Lance Archibald: "I've told everyone throughout this-- it takes a lot of energy to be a bad sport. It's a lot easier to be a good sport."
The upside to this billboard brouhaha? Lance was able to reconnect with a lot of old friends. The downside? He's had to take a couple of calls from some very persistent mothers.
We have a link to Lance's website at KSL.com. But maybe your better bet is to try to run into him in a grocery store.
Coming up on Monday, we'll take a closer look at online dating.