For the third year, Bradley University Police Department held their annual No Shave November beard contest. Participants submitted pictures of their facial hair for display on Thursday at Coffee with a Cop in the student center atrium.
Anyone could participate by donating $25 and starting with a clean face on Nov. 1. Winners received a $50 giftcard to the restaurant of their choice and the rest of the money will be donated to the Center for Prevention of Abuse.
“We’ve found ourselves working with [the Center for Prevention of Abuse] more and more,” Lt. Sean Savage said. “We’ve always partnered with them on a number of different topics, everything from sexual assault awareness month down to referring our students to them all the time and they’re so incredible. They’re a great victims advocate group.”
Donations in past years have gone towards Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club. The police department may also continue to donate to the Center for Prevention of Abuse in future years, according to Savage.
“It’s all about the Center for Prevention of Abuse. I can’t brag on them enough, as far as what they’ve done for this community,” Savage said. “They’re truly great and that’s why I think after this year, I don’t think we will be changing it. I think we’ve found our great partnership in them and we’re excited to be giving to them.”
No Shave November began when police officers asked the chief to grow a beard for a month in exchange for $25 to charity. Police officers have a grooming policy prohibiting more than a clean shaven face or moustache.
“Most of my 30 years working, I have not been allowed to grow facial hair, other than a moustache, so getting to grow [it] sounds kind of fun,” Sgt. Nick McCumber said. “It also gets to be fun making fun of each other for what comes out because it’s just starting, so nobody’s looks really good.”
The first year, there were about 15 participants and officers took first, second and third places. Last year, about 30 people entered the contest and two students and one officer placed in the top three best beards.
“For us, it means a whole lot, but the biggest piece of it is the opportunity to give to these charities… and that’s why we opened it to all of campus,” Savage said. “We’ve got already a couple people from across the university that have entered the best beard contest.”
In addition to the thirteen contestants for No Shave November, campus members could also
compete in a Bake Off.
This year, student Jake Settles came in first place for best beard, with Officer Young in second place and Chief Joschko taking third. Seniors Olivia Carrizales and Lizzy Young won the bake off.
“We’re really grateful for everyone that’s participated because we have been seeing some students that are recurring to every event,” senior industrial engineering major and BUPD marketing coordinator Olivia Carrizales said. “They’re very faithful to our events, so we’re very appreciative of them and also we just have a lot of fun doing it. That’s the most important part; we love doing stuff like this.”
