The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Men's Basketball coach Dennis Felton feels his freshly shorn upper lip. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Felton laughs amidst the excitement before barber Vernell Wilson helped Felton live up to his promise to students and shave the mustache on the Tate Center lawn Friday. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Dennis Felton leads the crowd chanting "U-G-A." [Click to enlarge]

It was an unorthodox end to the SEC Championship celebration.

Friday on the Tate Student Center lawn, about 300 students gathered to watch men's basketball head coach Dennis Felton become clean-shaven, or "the new me," as he called himself.

The event comes after Felton made a January promise that he would shave his mustache if the Bulldogs won the SEC tournament.

But, Felton said he isn't sure how long the new look will last and will "play it by ear" when considering if he will grow the mustache back.

After Felton's personal barber, Vernell Wilson, shaved off the mustache, Felton received rave reviews from the onlookers.

"I think he looks very handsome - at least 10 years younger," his wife, Melanie Felton, said.

But, she wasn't sure how other members of his family will react.

"I think his sons might like it," she said.

Felton's oldest son, 13-year-old Jazz, currently is growing a mustache.

"Maybe Dennis could teach him lessons in shaving," Melanie said.

Many of the fans in attendance found the event to be a fun time to interact with their coach.

One fan joked that Felton looks so young he will be carded at bars.

Mason Deal, a freshman from Stone Mountain who was at the shaving, requested some of the shaven hair, to which Felton gave to Deal in a plastic bag.

"We're parading this into every game," Deal said. "And, we're sprinkling one hair on the court each game."

Felton signed the bag with the slogan of Deal's posters from the game: "Fear the 'stache."

Felton's players also seemed to enjoy watching their coach fulfill his promise as well.

"It shows that he's dedicated," freshman forward Jeremy Price said.

During the event, Felton joked with the crowd and autographed SEC Championship posters

"Am I ready for Hollywood?" he asked students.

Director of Promotions Emily Deitz said she will plan more events to increase student enthusiasm after the 2008-09 schedule is issued.

Deitz said Promotions has been planning the event for several weeks.

Felton enjoyed the event and interacting with fans.

"I thought it was awesome ... just what I was hoping for," Felton said.

At the end of the event, Felton and several of his players thanked students for their support of the basketball program.

"You've all been amazing to us," junior Billy Humphrey told students gathered for the event.

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