So this past January UGA mens basketball coach Dennis Felton said if they won the SEC tourney this year he’d shave his mustache. Not to doubt Felton’s faith in his team, because I don’t, but I think it was (at least in part) one of those things people say sometimes to make a point and expect not to happen. Such promises are also recommended for riling up the student section at home games.

Well.

The ’stache had to go. The execution was a high noon Friday. He said that next year when they win the Final Four, he’ll shave his whole dang head.

Crowd everywhere. Media everywhere. Sunlight everywhere. Elbow room nowhere.

They even got a real barbers chair brought in. Crazy. Here for the shaving was Felton’s personal barber, Vernell Wilson of Wilson’s Hair World in Athens.

Coach says he hadn’t shaved his mustache since he grew it when he was, like, four years old. Despite this, Felton was in good spirits.

I tried to vary my angles, but it was stupid hard to move around. People and media freaking everywhere. And if you did try to readjust yourself, chances are you would get manhandled by a huge, very rude video guy in an ugly shirt (ahem).

This is where Huge Rude Video Guy would prefer you stay - belly in the grass. Because he is 6′5 and manly and doesn’t ask anything politely and has no sense of professional courtesy and sharing space - or personal space, Mr. Shove - and “Geez, you guys only have to get like one photo anyway.” Also, I’m not “Hey Chick!” Psshaw.

We all have to work together here. Don’t be a prick.

Video Guy might have had a bug up his ass cause Mom didn’t do his laundry this week and he had to wear his least favorite tacky polo shirt… but Felton… good spirits, classy shirt.

Good spirits. He has them.

Leading the crowd in a U-G-A chant once it’s gone…

Friday is for Felton.

Felton releases the power of the mustache to the crowd of fans, curious bystanders and free t-shirt moochers. May the ’stache be with you.

Jeremy Price was the only basketball player I noticed showed up (and how could you not notice him - he’s 6′8). He hovered over me and made a video with his camera phone.
Update: Billy Humphrey was there too, he spoke afterwards. Duh. Can’t believe I forgot that.

And a couple kids (and by kids I mean freshmen) dressed like 80s rockers collected the discarded facial hair in a Ziploc baggie and claim they’re going to bring it to every game next year for good luck.

I like Felton. In the two years I’ve shot UGA basketball, he’s been both entertaining and nothing but courteous to me, even tho he’s fun to make fun of sometimes. I felt bad when people were giving him shit this semester about the team, and I listened to the SEC tourney on the radio (no TV) while washing dishes and I went nuts like everyone else when UGA won. I think I might even have broken a plate. He’s going to be one of the people I genuinely miss photographing when I’m (finally) gone next year.

I grabbed a flier they were handing out at the Tate Center Thursday, and it’s so horrible I had to share it:

oh my.

What do we learn here? Someone who knows nothing about prepping photos for print might get ahold of your headshot and lavender fliers, so…um… smile. Just in case.

R&B: Felton fulfills vow, shaves mustache by Kristen Coulter