Lacrosse Mustache Madness Makes History!

(PHILADELPHIA) – It’s time to celebrate Lacrosse Mustache Madness history!  From October 19 through November 28, 3,573 college lacrosse players representing 132 teams made a major statement by growing their mustaches, raising money and participating in Lacrosse Mustache Madness.  The annual facial hair fundraising campaign, now in its 13th year, raised a record $611,781.99 this year in support of the HEADstrong Foundation. 

Proceeds from Lacrosse Mustache Madness directly support the essential services provided by the HEADstrong Foundation on behalf of families overcome by cancer, including underwriting nights of lodging and accommodations at Nick’s House, a guest residence operated by the organization for families displaced in the pursuit of advanced cancer care. In addition, HEADstrong has already earmarked support for several collegiate lacrosse players navigating their cancer fight.  

“On behalf of the HEADstrong Foundation and those we humbly serve, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to participants, teams and donors who supported Lacrosse Mustache Madness this year,” Lax Stache Co-Founders Ken Clausen and Pat Colleluori said. “Together we made campaign history and raised the bar once again. It was amazing to see so many teams embracing this campaign with open arms. The spirit, energy, camaraderie and competition was just awesome. The proceeds from this incredible campaign will allow us to strengthen our commitment to families who are navigating the complexities of cancer and give us the ability to play our position in this most critical time. We are truly humbled by the overwhelming outcry of support. Our Growers and their respective Teams were relentless in every way, helping to raise $611,781.99 for the cause and additional funds are still pouring in.  The funds raised will allow more families to pursue the best possible treatments, hopefully giving them the best odds at winning their fight against cancer while living with no regrets. We are truly grateful to everyone who made this incredible campaign an overwhelming success.” Ken Clausen and Pat Colleluori 

During the campaign, growers and teams competed against one another to crack the Lax Stache Leaderboard.  This campaign presents three coveted titles including Top Individual Fundraiser, Top Fundraising Team as well as the Champion of the National LaxStache-Off Against Cancer.

This year the campaign saw record-setting numbers but in the end it was Tampa Men’s Lacrosse who led the pack raising $24,431. Brown Men’s Lacrosse finished in the #2 position with $24,414 followed by Gettysburg Men’s Lacrosse in the #3 slot with $21,354. It was the second-consecutive time in campaign history that three teams surpassed the $20,000 fundraising mark.  

Of the 3,573 Growers who participated this year, it was former Lax Stache Champion Rich Moses of Highland Park Lacrosse who took home the individual fundraising title at $8,722. Brian Antonelli of Brown University Men’s Lacrosse held onto the #2 spot with $6,262 raised followed by Sean Bailey of Denison who raised $6,054. Former Lax Stache Champion Ben Kaminow representing Syracuse University Men’s Lacrosse captured the #4 spot with $5,829 raised, followed by last years champion Will Levine of Endicott College who raised $5,538 to take the #5 spot.

With amazing contests and challenges, the campaign was off to a historic start before the National LaxStache-Off Against Cancer bracket tournament kicked off during the first week of November.  A 4-week tournament in which all teams are seeded and bracketed then go head-to-head in live rounds with teams out-raising their opponents, surviving and advancing until one team is crowned the National Lax Stache Champion. This year, 132 teams were seeded into 14 divisions. 

2021 National LaxStache-Off Divisional Champions 

Chevron Division – Michigan
Handlebar Division Champion – Wentworth Institute of Technology
Horseshoe Division Champion – Denison
Caterpillar Division Champion – Brown
Fu Man Chu Division Champion – Bridgewater
Anchor Division Champion – Lynchburg
Lip Duster Division Champion – Boston University
Shadow Division Champion – St. Bonaventure
Stubble Division Champion – Monmouth
Flavor Savor Division Champion – Marietta
Lip Warmer Champion Division – Gettysburg
Walrus Division Champion – Penn State
Comb Division Champion – Ohio State
Imperial Division Champion – Rutgers 

On November 18th, the 14 divisional champions, alongside two wild card picks (Tampa University and Bentley University), advanced to the Sweet Stache 16 and began duking it out for their chance at Lax Stache glory.  After four rounds, it was Gettysburg College and Marietta College who were left standing.  In the end it was Marietta College Men’s Lacrosse who claimed the National LaxStache-Off Championship!        

Learn more about how you can use your mustache and facial hair to improve lives affected by cancer at www.LaxStacheMadness.com or www.HEADstrong.org