What do Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter and Baron Davis have in common? Give up? Some of the best beards the sports world has ever seen. Whether it’s a trademark image, a playoff tradition or just some unkempt scruff, the beard has had a lasting image on the sports scene. So, not to be outdone by the members of the professional ranks, the members of Ithaca College’s men’s cross country team are growing their own in a show of team solidarity and will not be shaving until Thanksgiving Break.

Seniors Brian Riley, Curt Bell, Brian Ivory and Nate Lavieri-Scull started the tradition their freshman year and have made it an annual teamwide razor boycott. The team even made the players’ final shaving into a bonding event.

“Our last shaving was Wednesday, and we won’t shave again until Thanksgiving,” Riley said. “There were a dozen people at the apartment the team lives at, and everyone else did it at home.”

Though “No Shave November” has become an essential aspect to building-team unity, Riley said it is not without its drawbacks. As anyone with considerable facial hair can tell you, it can become itchy, not to mention the inevitable comments people make about the newly grown beard.

“Around the second or third week we have to start explaining it’s for the team,” Riley said. “The social aspect is worse than the physical aspect, though.”

But facial hair is what the world sees, and it is clear that not all beards are created equal. Riley said seniors Scott Walker and Phil Abbott and junior Anthony Palma are so blessed in the facial hair department that they are disqualified from the team’s honor for best beard. It just wouldn’t be fair.

However, there are other members who are clearly lagging behind the others in their beard abilities. Riley said Stefan Karkuff has the same complex as David Spade’s character in “Joe Dirt.” For those that have not seen the movie, that means his sideburns come in nice and sharp, but there’s no hair on the cheeks, where it really counts.

When “No Shave November” comes to a close, some members of the team find it difficult to part with what they worked so hard to achieve. That’s when the creativity comes out.

“After the season maybe we’ll keep a moustache or a goatee,” Riley said.

But for now, the beards will be in full force. So don’t make fun of any of your distance-running classmates.

Instead, show some respect for the dedication it takes for such a display of team solidarity and self-sacrifice. And maybe if you feel so inclined, show your school’s athletes some support: Put down the razor and embrace the beard.