Yosemite Sam had one. Rising high school freshmen long for one. Burt Reynolds, please. The woman in front of you in line at Harris Teeter last weekend, sorry. Also known as soup strainers, toothbrushes, handle bars, face fungi, you get the picture -- mustaches are distinctly noticeable facial features rarely seen around Grounds.
Mustaches have become rather taboo, in a sense, in the modern era. They are nothing more than a useless growth of hair under the nose and above the lip in males. Simply a genetic remnant left over that evolution has yet to deal with, these upper-lip hair-growths, (while sported by some) are generally on the way out.
The men of the University's chapter of Theta Delta Chi fraternity, however, have decided to participate in a nation-wide charity event known as Mustaches for Miracles, for their spring philanthropy event. Forty-seven members of the male student body -- not all of whom are affiliated with the fraternity -- and one professor, Bruce Reynolds, have become "growers," dedicating themselves to the cause of raising money to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
M4M, a philanthropy found at many colleges around the nation, consists of several distinct phases according to Jason Yeh, Theta Delta Chi philanthropy chair and third-year College student. During the first phase, "growers" must begin to solicit pledges from as many people as possible.
During this time, "totally sweet 'staches will be harvested and ostentatiously displayed," according to Theta Delta Chi's spring philanthropy Web site.
After the growth and pledge collection period, Theta Delta Chi will hold a Bar Night at O'Neill's to cap off the event. Yeh said undisclosed celebrity judges will be present to judge the mustaches, and several awards will be handed out. Awards will include the Tom Selleck Award for Excellence, Best Crustache, Best Villain 'Stache and Best Larry Bird 'Stache.
Beginning April 4 and running until the Bar Night on April 21, the select 48 "growers" will work to nurture a mustache and solicit pledges to benefit those in need.
"It's a unique event and something fun to try," said second-year College student Ryan Fay, a member of Theta Delta Chi and a "grower" for the event.
Mustaches for Miracles is designed to be an event in which everyone can participate by either growing or pledging. According to participants, "growers" can choose to live in mustache glory by producing an award-winning 'stache, while others simply try to support the Make-a-Wish Foundation through their less-than-award-winning efforts.
People offering pledges can contribute in other ways. The event's Web site offers three distinct pledge packages: the Frida Calo, the Super Trooper and the Tom Selleck Executive. Each package is valued by differing dollar amounts pledged. Donors will be entered into a raffle for rewards such as gift certificates and prizes from restaurants and stores around Charlottesville.
In spite of M4M's charitable intentions, rivalries and favorites have nonetheless arisen. The egos of some participants have become inflated, while others have had their confidence destroyed.
"I am the favorite going into the event," fourth-year Commerce student Tarek Pertew said. "I am known to have a mustache to envy."
Although confident that his mustache will be the best, Pertew said his high standing "leaves room for dark horses and fan support for the underdogs."
Second-year College student Jacob Best said he is participating in the event "because it is a great cause and a funny way to help out."
Best's self esteem about the event, however, is somewhat lacking.
"I'm not going for any of the awards because my ability to grow a decent mustache is severely limited," he said.
Support from the female student body, or rather lack thereof, has also been a concern within the event, according to many "growers." Whether or not the "growers" have girlfriends, participants said women around Grounds, in general, seem to be against the sudden rise in mustaches. The cause to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation, however, has helped to alleviate the disapproval.
"Most of the girls I've talked to aren't too excited about the mustaches," Fay said. "But when I tell them it's for a good cause, it helps them change their minds."
Best revealed that he has run into the same dilemma in convincing women to support the mustaches.
"All my female friends have agreed that I will look ridiculous," he said.
The "growers" have remained dedicated to the philanthropy despite their female critics.
"My girlfriend hates it," Pertew complained. "Ask me the same question in a month, and my reply may be, 'What girlfriend?'"
Most of the men participating said they have never had the desire to wear a mustache in the past -- save for the three day, too-lazy-to-shave grow-in -- and most do not intend to retain the facial hair.
"I don't think that I'll keep it after the event," Fay said. "But who knows, it will be interesting to see what it looks like."
Others, however, said they believe their mustaches will be widely accepted. They retain the idea that the University populous will approve of their superior 'staches remaining.
"I am pretty confident that although support for my keeping the mustache will be overwhelming, I plan on going back to full-coverage scruff," Pertew said.
This is the first year Theta Delta Chi has participated in M4M. Yeh added that he hopes that in years to come, M4M at the University will gain support and become a popular way for students to give to charity.
The fraternity's mission in growing mustaches and soliciting pledges for this event is to help "make a wish come true for very sick children," according to the Mustaches for Miracles' Web site. It goes on to say that as a secondary goal, it aims to "power the comeback of a fashion accessory that inexplicably lost favor in this country years ago."
It is yet to be determined whether the 'stache will survive its planned demise at the Mustaches for Miracles concluding event April 21.
For more information, visit www.m4muva.com
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