This is the third blog entry of the men's basketball team's journey into mustachedom. Junior Chris Clausen, a JUCO-transfer and Australian native, is the ring leader of the initiative and will provide written and video blogs throughout the month-long process as players, coaches and support staff grow their Mo's (slang for mustache in Australia) for a worthy cause and to change the face of men's health.

Movember Blog: Volume 3, Nov. 18

The midway point of Movember came and passed, but not without trial and trepidation.  Well, the trial is still an on-going process if you take a close look at some of the Mo's or lack their of on a few of the men's basketball players.  To their credit, all have been trying and the razors have been tucked away in bathroom drawers across the board. The trepidation involves a few of the players and the growth that is occuring on their upper lips. Atrocious is another word that comes to mind, but all are persevering.

So, in honor of the midway point, the first-ever 'Stachie' awards were handed out while traveling this past weekend in Montana and the team had a special judge critique and select the award winners. A friendly man and willing participant named Keith (a.k.a. 'The Bus Driver') doled out the honors and even gave some wisdom and words of advice to the players. He has been sporting his 'Mo' for 33 years and his advice was at times sound, harsh and hilarious.

Check out the video blog above for bits and pieces of the award ceremony, the critiquing and the wonderful words of wisdom. The Sioux will play their home opener on Nov. 21 against UMKC and urge you to come out and support the team and the cause as donations will be collected at each home game in November. Tip-off against the Kangaroos is set for 1 p.m.

Stachie Award Winners
Best - Senior guard Travis Bledsoe
Ugliest - Senior guard Dustin Monsebroten
Worst - Trio of redshirt freshman Doug Archer, Jordan Allard and Mitch Wilmer
Not Meeting His Full Potential - Senior Wing Travis Mertens
Fraudulent - Sophomore wing Patrick Mitchell

For the entire month of 'Movember', the month formerly known as November, the Fighting Sioux men's basketball team and its coaching and support staff will be growing mustaches to help raise funds and bring awareness to prostate and testicular cancer as well as other men's health concerns. Since its inception in Australia in 2003, the 'Movember' initiative has raised more than $47 million globally. All proceeds raised in the United States will be split between the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.