Moustache fever has touched down at Durham College (DC), specifically the men’s volleyball team – or ‘moteam’ as it’s known this month.
Eight members of the Lords are growing moustaches to raise money and awareness as part of Movember – as November has become known – to bring attention to men’s health awareness.
The Lords’ current fundraising goal is $2,000, but team captain Tyler Krabi of Stouffville says the team would like to push past that.
“It kind of just started off as a way to raise funds, but we definitely wanted to raise and bring attention to men’s health,” Krabi says.
Krabi, a student in the protection, security and investigation program, says some team members have participated in Movember on their own in the past, but this year they united as a team to create a moteam of their own.
The Movember Foundation focuses its donations on prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention.
Their main mission is to stop men from dying too young.
The Lords women’s volleyball team raised funds and awareness for breast cancer in October and Krabi says he saw the impact of the initiative wanted to build on that idea.
“We definitely felt like we wanted to give back this year,” Krabi says.
Although eight of the players are letting their facial hair go and grow this November, all 14 team members are participating in fundraising. Krabi says the coaches, manager and trainer have also been encouraging people to go online and donate.
In coming years, Krabi would like to see more varsity teams on campus get involved in Movember, including teams at UOIT.
Krabi says after the team decided to participate, they took the idea to Christopher Cameron, Durham College’s sports information and special events coordinator.
“We worked with them to ensure we could maximize exposure of something that is for a great cause,” Cameron says in an email. “They’re the ones doing the work, taking the photos, growing moustaches and raising the funds, we’re just there to ensure that is presented to a larger audience.”
Varsity athletics is assisting the volleyballers by promoting their effort on their website and social media accounts.
There will be two home volleyball games on Nov. 22 and Nov. 29, where a donation jar will be passed around to collect for the fundraiser.
Krabi says the team has also ordered Movember themed T-shirts they will be wearing during the warm-up.
To support the cause, visit durhamlords.com/movember.
