He itched his beard knowingly, fluffing the manly facial fixture with his fingers.

“I guess it kinds of itchy sometimes,” said Nick Bracciano, Arts & Science junior.

Bracciano and numerous other students, men and women, at Creighton are ditching the clean-shaven look this month to participate in the 2nd Annual “No Shave November” at Creighton University.

On Dec. 7 the Inter-Fraternity Council will throw a Stache Bash at the Billy Blue Jay Sports Bar in the Harper Center to give out awards for best beard, most creative mustache and other facial hair related accolades.

Donations at the event are optional but go to help the Siena Francis House. In addition to awards, a football game will be on display to contribute to the “manly” atmosphere.

“They give out a gift card or something to the winner, but really I think the most rewarding part is knowing you have the best ‘stache,'” Bracciano said.

“It’s also really rewarding to help out the Siena Francis House.”

The Inter-Fraternity Council had 25 participants in No Shave November last year and is hoping to increase that number this year.

“A lot of kids are doing it this year,” said Alex Covalt, Arts & Science junior. “I don’t see any reason not to.”

He stopped to rub his blossoming beard. “It’s like a mitten for your face and a badge for your bro’hood.”

Bracciano enjoys his beard the but admits that it has its downsides.

“I guess, other than looking unpresentable, the main two things is the itching and the fact that my mustache is starting to curl into my mouth,” he said. “I get a lot of odd stares.”