Mustache March Madness
Although March Madness is one of America’s favorite times of the year, NCAA basketball is not the only thing the month is known for. Mustache March is an experimental charity that encourages men to grow a mustache throughout the month.
With the motto of “Just grow it,” Mustache March asks those growing facial hair to donate money to a charity and create a cultural movement. Based in Milwaukee, the organization collects proceeds that will be donated to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer fund.
The organization’s website, www.mustachemarch.com, is complete with a manifesto, events, news, photo gallery and rules. Pledges began growing facial hair March 1, but by March 15, they must leave only an “island of hair” on their upper lip. Failure to obey the specified rules leads to disqualification and a fine of $20 paid by the pledge to the charity.
According to the website, growing a mustache this March will automatically make someone a winner, unlike NCAA’s March Madness, where only one team will ultimately come out on top.
Similar to March is the month of November, when “Movember” takes place. The Movember Foundation began in 2004 and has since expanded to more than 20 countries. The organization has raised more than $147 million to raise awareness, bring support and start conversations within communities about prostate and testicular cancer, as well as physical and mental health issues.
Addressing men’s health issues has become increasingly important. Amber Blackburn, a junior majoring in health education and promotion, said while the month’s event is fun, there should be a greater push toward awareness for men’s health issues.
“I don’t think it would hurt to emphasize on the health part, but it’s good for fun as well,” Blackburn said. “If I were a boy, I would definitely participate.”
Just as colleges compete to be the best team on the court, many organizations are promoting this event with competitions. According to the blog “Stars and Stripes,” the U.S. Air Force has even made a push for participation.
USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh spoke on Feb. 20 to the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium and challenged airmen to a competition.
“Now, I don’t know, but I don’t think we’ve had an all-in Mustache March, so I’m putting the smackdown on you guys: Air Force-wide, Mustache March, MAJCOM competitions,” Welsh said.
On campus, the USU Air Force ROTC program will also be participating. Cadet Jeremy Wald, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, said he’s enthusiastic about the Air Force’s involvement in the contest.
“The Mustache March competition is good,” Wald said. “It helps to bring us together, to remember our history, but also to have some fun. That’s one of the things that’s really neat about the Air Force: We work really hard, but we play hard, too.”
However, not all of the competitions this March are for monetary gain or charity.
Another website, www.marchmoustachemadness.com, is solely dedicated to showing off this facial hair phenomenon. People can submit photos and view other mustache designs from around the world. There are many other sites which give tips for the growing of facial hair, create awareness of health issues and give information about competitions to grow the best mustache.
Many students around campus with facial hair and mustaches could be even more popular than beards. Marcus Haslam, a junior majoring in graphic design, sports a mustache year round.
“I think Mustache March is a good starting point, but it’s over far too quickly,” Haslam said. “The benefits of a nose neighbor are too substantial to only enjoy for a month or two out of the year.”
Haslam encourages all to continue the madness for longer than just the 31 days in March.
“Grow your mo’ this month, but don’t shave it off come April 1,” Haslam said. “Instead, join me in the mustache millennium, and we will change the world one ‘stache at a time.”
– hinewton13@gmail.com