Players sport ‘muzzies’ in Mo-vember to support men’s cancer research
December 11th, 2010 Posted in Arts and LifeStory & Photo by Ty Rogers
LOGAN—Some wear pink in October. Some choose to walk or run marathons. Some donate money. And some grow moustaches in November? Yes, moustaches showed up everywhere last month like a horrible blast from the past that instilled fear that the mullet could be soon behind.
Don’t worry. It was just Mo-vember. Wait, what is Mo-vember? According to the official Mo-vember website, it is when “The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Mo-vember.”
The Mo-vember campaign is geared toward raising money to help find better treatments and, eventually, a cure to men’s cancer—primarily prostate and testicular cancer.
Mo-vember formally began in Australia in 2004 when 432 men were able to raise $55,000 in an effort to raise awareness of men’s cancers by growing a moustache for the month of November. The men wore their moustaches as a symbol of support instead of a ribbon or t-shirt.
Last year, over 255,000 people joined the cause, raising $42 million worldwide for various men’s cancer foundations. This year, in Logan, Mo-vember had a presence on the ice when the Utah State University hockey team made it mandatory for each player to shave on Oct. 31, and then grow and maintain a moustache through the end of November.
“We decided as a team that it would be fun for us to do some team bonding for a good cause,” said USU hockey assistant captain David Wyman.
Even though the decision to make Mo-vember mandatory on the hockey team was made too close to November to officially register and donate money, the players believe they are still showing support and spreading awareness.
“Next year, it would be nice to start earlier and raise money,” said Wyman. “That’s our goal.”
Fans, both men and women, could be seen wearing fake moustaches at home games throughout November. At the last home hockey game of the month, the team hosted a “best moustache” competition, in which the winner received a prize and the loser received a shaving kit.
“In hockey we call them (moustaches) dusters or muzzies, and it’s a common respect thing to tap a guy with a mustache and say, ‘Hey, nice muzzy,’” said Wyman. He says that other teams like what they are doing with their choices in facial hair.
There are many, many styles of moustaches, but not everybody has the ability to grow one.
“There were guys that were pretty weak,” said Wyman, “but everybody tried, and that’s all we asked.”
They could have been considered lucky to avoid the embarrassment of being seen in public with a fad that died alongside acid-washed jeans.
Some players went as far as using Just for Men hair product to dye their moustaches and make them stand out more.
Now that Mo-vember is over and the razors are back out, Wyman and a few teammates are actually having trouble letting go of their ’staches.
“There’s a couple of who are keeping them for the tournament this weekend in Colorado,” said Wyman, “Just to look greasy.”
It will be another year before Mo-vember returns, but Wyman warns to beware of “Duster December.”
TP
Tags: hockey team, Movember, mustache
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.