Thick, thin, neatly trimmed or barely kept — there are a variety of beards and mustaches that grace campus.

Despite how some may look, people who have a beard, mustache or both wear them with a certain zeal and confidence like no other. While some pride themselves on the amount of coolness that comes along with having facial hair, others bask confidently in their maturity.

Then there are those that take being a facial hair aficionado to the next level. The second annual Southeastern Beard and Mustache Competition was held last month and competitors from all over the world came sporting facial hair that could rival facial fuzz icons like Chuck Norris and Frank Kappa.

Josh Fox, a senior in electrical engineering, entered the mustache competition.

“There were 650 occupants; the place was full at all times. There 75 contestants in nine different categories,” Fox said. “Some of these categories were mustaches, college beards, freestyle beards and women’s artificial. The women’s artificial was really hilarious.”

Preparing for the competition was no easy matter and Fox had to look up information from YouTube and websites on how to train and trim his mustache.

The event organizer introduced each contestant by name, location, hobbies and the name of their facial hair.

“The Womb Broom,” Fox chuckled. “My brother told me when I grew a mustaches he’d call it the ‘Womb Broom’ and I thought that was a pretty awesome name.”

Judges selected the winners in each category based off of length, maintenance and style.

“Costumers were also recommended,” Fox said. “Most guys rocked a classic vest. My costume was a baby blue polyester 70’s suit.”

By the end of the competition Fox had won third place in the mustaches category and took home a plaque as a testimony to his victory. The man who took away first prize proved to be more than formidable competition.

“I was really impressed by the guy who won. He just trimmed four inches and he got third in the world [for best mustache] last year, and he can still double loop [his mustache]. At work he wraps his mustaches around his ears.” Fox said.

Even after the competition, Fox continues to sport his mustaches with pride while attracting the attention of many curious and awe-struck on lookers.

“I’d be talking to my friend and people would come up and start asking questions. I really appreciate it whenever someone has something nice to say.” Fox said. “I am representing all furry-lipped men. I have to uphold a certain standard because I want people to try growing a mustaches and enjoy the benefits.”

To the same degree, Fox recognizes that on a few occasions, having a distinguishable mustaches has put him in unpleasant situations.

“Sometimes people try to sneak pictures of me. It’s the only thing I don’t like. I feel like someone who’s going to be laughed at.”

Overall, Fox said he enjoys not only how his mustaches makes him feel, but the positive energy it brings.

“The best part of having my mustaches is the smiles,” Fox said. “The idea of giving someone even a couple seconds of happiness as we walk past each other makes me happy.”

The Southeastern Beard and Mustaches Competition also served as a charity event. The proceeds of the event went to Low Country Women, an ovarian cancer organization. According to Fox, proceeds this year totaled $5,500.

Alt:

The video for the competition can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mZoR-7sFk In the video Fox was #30.