Augusta State assistant basketball coach Robbie McKinlay looked at his head coach and laughed after a recent practice.
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After more than three weeks of trying to grow a moustache, Dip Metress' pencil-thin facial hair still is somewhat lacking, McKinlay said.
"I thought it'd have more girth by now," McKinlay said.
Metress, McKinlay and the rest of Augusta State's coaches and players have been growing moustaches as part of "Mou-vember" in an effort to raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancer during the month of November.
Senior guard Ben Madgen came up to Metress with the idea for "Mou-vember," which is a big event in Australia, McKinlay said.
McKinlay, Madgen and senior forward Greg Hire are all Australian natives.
"If you're in Australia and you're growing a moustache, people pretty much know it's for 'Mou-vember,'" Madgen said. "It started off as a bit of fun, but then I thought maybe we should do it for a cause and get everyone involved."
The event culminates with Augusta State's home game at 4 p.m. today against Lenoir-Rhyne. Madgen is looking to raise donations for breast cancer and ovarian cancer charities at Christenberry Fieldhouse. He said he has no specific goal in mind as far as raising money.
"Whatever we can raise," Madgen said. "A thousand would be amazing."
Madgen said he approached Metress about the idea in October, and his head coach approved. Then, Madgen told him about the other part.
"You've got to do it as well," Madgen said. "His wife wasn't too happy about it, but she's happy with the cause."
Metress said, despite McKinlay's kidding, he's grown out his moustache all month and hasn't shaved it. Metress added he and his family are looking forward to his clean-shaven face again.
"They're anxiously looking forward to Monday," he said.
Madgen is growing a moustache for the first time in his life. He said the hair is getting so long he's starting to get food in it.
"I look ridiculous with it," Madgen said. "And it's so itchy. My dad's had one for 20 years. I need to call him and ask him how he puts up with it."
The team is expected to get their moustaches shaved Monday -- some of them will do it at the studio of country radio station Kicks 99. Hire said he might keep his going because the sixth-ranked Jaguars are off to a 3-0 start this season.
"If we keep winning," he said, "I might not shave it."
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
MOU-VEMBER
Augusta State coaches and players and coach have been growing moustaches throughout November to raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancer.
The team is seeking donations for the cause at today's 4 p.m. against Lenoir-Rhyne at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Anyone who wants to make a donation but cannot attend the game should call (706) 737-1626.
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