Today marks four weeks since I last shaved. If memory serves, this is the third longest I’ve grown my beard. The longest was from someday in October 2010 till January 1, 2012. The second longest was four months, for an online beard-growing community called Whiskerino.

Whiskerino was a great celebration of beards. On Nov. 1, 2009, 484 guys signed up at whiskerino.org and agreed to document the growth of their beards for 120 days. Shave early and you end up in the Hall of Shame. But post a great photo that everyone loves, and you earn the 24-hour honor of "King Beard." (I was crowned King Beard once, for the image at the right.) Over the course of the four months, I made several new friends and was inspired by some amazingly talented individuals—all because of beards. Unfortunately, the 2009-2010 edition of Whiskerino was also the last.

When I heard about the Predators Foundation Beard-a-thon presented by Philips Norelco, I knew I had to join up. As corny as it sounds, I’ve seen what effect beards can have in building a community. Like hockey or beer or music, it’s a commonality that people can congregate around. And impressive things are happening. Not only are there some fierce looking playoff beards showing up, but the combined Beard-a-Thon—all NHL teams—has raised over $350,000 for charity! The Predators currently rank sixth in the league, pulling in over $25,000 to benefit the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. And Predators’ director of corporate partnerships, Rock Upchurch, is ranked fifth overall with over $5,000 pledged. Let’s keep pushing these numbers higher. And don’t forget about the weekly contest among the Predators growers. Raise the most Predators Beard-a-Thon money in the seven-day period ending next Wednesday, May 9, and you’ll win an autographed Preds prize.

If you started growing your latest beard on April 7 when I did, the itch has passed and it’s clear sailing from here. For those who started more recently, be strong. And to those who remain clean-shaven, join the Predators team or pledge toward a Predators grower's beard today. Let’s see just how effective this community can be. All because of beards.

 

Playoff Beard. Day 17.

Well done, my fellow beard growers. Since my last post five days ago, the funds raised by the Preds Beard-a-Thon presented by Philips Norelco have almost doubled (over $20,000 now!), we're up to sixth overall among NHL teams, and your whiskers willed the Predators to a 4-1 series win over the Detroit Red Wings. We're on to playoff round 2, meaning our beards will be growing to at least twice their current length.

Major props to my fellow Predators employee Rock Upchurch, who is not only leading the Preds Beard-a-Thon in funds raised but currently ranks third among all Beard-a-Thon growers league-wide! He got a huge pledge—to the tune of $5,000—from Fifth Third Bank this week. But there are other growers hot on his heels, and the Philadelphia Flyers' Beard-a-Thon is not far behind the Preds', so let's keep the pledges rolling in and show the league what the Predators faithful can do.

And remember, the first Predators weekly competition ends on Wednesday. The person who raises the most money in the seven-day period ending April 25 wins an autographed Preds prize valued at $250. The next weekly contest runs April 26 to May 2.

And if you haven't started growing yet, there's no time like the present to stop shaving and start raising money to fight cancer via the Predators Beard-a-Thon. Happy growing!

 

Dear Smashville, I have good news and bad news.

The good news first: The Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon, presented by Philips Norelco, broke the $10,000 mark! That's no small feat, and I'd like to thank everyone who has joined or pledged to the cause. For those just tuning in, funds raised through this campaign will benefit the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. You have taken a stand against cancer.

Unfortunately, there's some bad news. As I write this, the Predators rank just seventh among teams participating in the Beard-a-Thon. We're currently behind the Washington Capitals and ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers. The St. Louis Blues, meanwhile, have raised over twice as much as we have, and they only rank fourth! We've got to have a better showing.

So, citizens of Smashville, I implore you. If you haven't joined the Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon yet, sign up today and start (or continue) growing. Here's how: Follow this link and look for the "Sign Up and Grow" button in the bottom left corner.

So far, only 179 people are participating. That's just 1 percent of a Predators sellout crowd. And of that group, 69 have raised money. While that's an impressive average of almost $150 per beard, imagine if we multiplied that by hundreds more growers who solicited funds from friends and family. And that's not to say that you have to raise $150—I mean look at me, I remain at $20. Just sign up and do your best. The battle against cancer needs every dollar it can get.

But if you still need some incentive to join, the Predators Foundation Beard-a-Thon is starting a weekly contest today, April 19. Through next Wednesday, April 25, the individual who raises the most funds in the Predators Beard-a-Thon will win an autographed Predators prize valued at $250-$300. Not bad for growing a beard, huh?

I hope you'll join me in participating. And for anyone who pledges toward my beard (you can do so on my Beard-a-Thon profile page), you'll get a big public thank you right here on the blog.

Neckbeard Update: The neckbeard lives! If you read my previous blog post, you know the itch was giving me second thoughts about keeping the lower portion of my beard. But I decided to stick with a full beard for a couple of reasons.

First, as I said, I'm a purist and don't feel right shaving a portion of my playoff beard. The Predators are up 3-1 against Detroit in their Western Conference Quarterfinal series and who am I to toy with that by altering my facial shrine to the Preds' postseason?

And of course there were the great comments from several of you. The most compelling came from Joshua Pickens: "Don't you dare shave it!" For the rest of you who commiserated with my itching, I hope your beard itch is subsiding. Mine sure is. Or maybe it's just the salve of a few big playoff wins.

Keep growing!

 

Day 8: The itchy neckbeard

When it comes to growing a beard, I'm kind of a purist.

My wife, on the other hand, might say "hobo." See, if I'm growing a beard, I don't like to shave at all. No trimming, no neck shaving, no razors. Period. However, the last time I had a beard, I wasn't required to wear a suit and tie. And I can safely say that neckbeard growth and a buttoned collar do not mix. So that's got me thinking.

Eight days into my 2012 playoff beard, I am firmly into the "itch" phase. It's the kind of itch that no amount of scratching will ease. And for me the itch is all from my chin down. Through experience I know that it passes with time, but that doesn't really help me right now.

So now I'm wondering: Maybe I should shave the lower portion of my beard?

It is a playoff beard, so could I be toying with the Predators' mojo if I cut any whiskers? I mean, surely my beard is somehow linked to all the other beards being grown by Predators players and fans, and when their collective power is combined and matched against the playoff beards of all Detroit Red Wings faithful, that determines whether the Preds win or lose, right?

OK, so maybe I'm overthinking things here. But my tendancies as a beard purist—or hobo, depending—still give me pause when I think of trimming up my neckline.

If you have strong feelings one way or the other, feel free to persuade me in the comments. And I'm still stuck at $20 in the fund-raising department, so if you are feeling generous, please pledge toward my beard. Or better yet, sign up for yourself. All money raised goes to the Predators Foundation's Pediatric Cancer Research Fund at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Neckbeard or not, it'd be tougher to find a better cause to grow a beard for.

 

April 11, 2012: Four days of growth

OK everyone, razors down. The season of the playoff beard is upon us, and I shaved for the last time Saturday morning. Opinions vary as to when one should start a playoff beard: As soon as your team clinches a playoff spot? The day the playoffs start? I opted to shave up to and including the final day of the regular season before setting down the razor.

Now, after four days of unfettered growth, I may not be on track for the fiercest or fullest beard out there, but I'm solid. And I do know a thing or two about growing facial hair. On January 1 of this year, I shaved a beard I had been growing since October 2010. Trust me, you approach messy foods—and even marginally messy foods—differently when you have 14 months of hair on your face. It's a commitment. On January 1 I just felt it was time for a change.

Now I'm working for the Predators as the interactive marketing coordinator. (Some of you may have met me during the Find Doug contests we run on Facebook and Twitter.) Now I have a reason—a really good reason—to grow a beard once again. Not only are the Predators beginning what promises to be a thrilling playoff run, the Predators section of the Beard-a-Thon website allows growers like me can help raise money for the Nashville Predators Foundation. Specifically, all proceeds from this fund-raiser go toward the Nashville Predators Pediatric Cancer Research Grant.

So If you haven't started your playoff beard, guys, there's no time like the present. The playoffs begin tonight and you can still be in on the ground floor. It takes about 5 minutes to sign up. And the site is not exclusive: Women are welcome to sign up too and gather pledges—crocheted beard, no beard, whatever.

If you don't want to join, consider pledging toward me and my beard, or one of the other charitable fans supporting their team.

Here's hoping for some long whiskers, Preds fans.