MORGANTOWN, W.Va. ÷ West Virginia University students kicked off the 2002 Mountaineer Week with a close, clean shave.

The event marked the beginning of the 55th annual Mountaineer Week, which is November 1-9.

Twenty-three males participated Monday in the Mountainlair commons.

"(The shaving) turned out really well," said Erin Young, student chairman and coordinator of the event. "We had a really good turnout."

Community members and WVU students, along with fraternity members, were encouraged to participate.

For their participation in the event, fraternity members received points for the Mountaineer Week competition.

The judging, which will be held on Nov. 6, is based on thickness, length, darkness and overall appearance of the beard.

"There isn't any specific guidelines for judging, so the judges just pick whatever one looks the best," said Sonja Wilson, adviser for Mountaineer Week.

Judges include five female administrators, which Young selects randomly.

"People who were judges in the past keep reminding us (about the competition), because they're so excited about participating in it," Wilson said.

The beard-growing contest is a fun event and one of Mountaineer Week's oldest traditions, Wilson said.

Mountaineer Week will include a week of family activities, food samples and musical performances.

The week will end with the WVU-Boston College football game. Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer will be announced at halftime, in addition to other awards.