A Hairy Competition

After almost a month without shaving, a team of six female faculty chose West Virginia University's best beard.

Entrants' facial hair was judged on a scale of one to five.

"(The beard) has to be full," said judge Shirley Robinson, administrative assistant for the associate provost of academic affairs. "It should be a well-groomed beard, not Grizzly Adams."

First place went to first-year history graduate student Michael Piano, second place went to junior mechanical engineering major David McGrain and third place went to freshman biology major Michael Wise.

"When I first started doing this, I thought it was all about me and being a man," Piano said.

After winning, Piano said he realized the Beard-Growing Competition is about West Virginia University.

"School spirit is really what it's all about," Piano said.

McGrain said he was happy to participate and place in the competition.

"I've been pushed to do it each year, but I've always had classes," McGrain said.

This year, McGrain made time to take part in the competition and said it was fantastic.

Wise never thought he would actually place, but said he was excited he did.

"I'd like to thank my girlfriend for tolerating my beard during this," Wise said.

Mountaineer mascot Rebecca Durst said she had a hard time picking her favorite beard during the competition.

"I did think that Michael's (Piano) was very good," Durst said.

Durst said she learned a lot about beard-growing tips from the guys, who said they used Garnier Fructis shampoo, sang lullabies to their beards, rubbed them in buffalo sauce and gave them a back rub and a steady dinner every night.

"I really am impressed with the spirit these boys had," Durst said.

The Beard-Growing Competition is a fun part of Mountaineer Week for the guys who participate, said judge Kim Harrison, associate director in student organizations.

"I think it's a great tradition of Mountaineer Week, and that's why I'm always happy to be a part of it," said judge Sabrina Cave, executive director of the Mountaineer Parents Club.

This is the second year of judging for Cave, who said this year brought more participants.

"I look for well-groomed, full beards. Since they've been doing this for almost 30 days, I give them a lot of credit," Cave said.

Judge Patty Daniel, project coordinator for student organizations, said she also looks for full and maintained beards.

This is Daniel's first time as a judge, but she said it's a great tradition of Mountaineer Week.

"I think it really gives the students momentum and shows pride," Daniel said.

Judge Darlene Johnson, program assistant at U92, said she looks forward to the competition every year.

"It's really nice to see the boys take pride in Mountaineer Week," Johnson said.