ODU coach Taylor loses mustache he'd worn since '70s

The mustache had taken on a life of its own.

Proudly resistant to the whims of fashion, Blaine Taylor's signature facial feature - as thickly bristled as the business end of a push broom - became as closely associated with the Old Dominion men's basketball program as physical defense, rugged rebounding and 20-win seasons.

The ODU coach grew the mustache in the late 1970s while playing at Montana. A couple of weeks ago, his upper lip saw the light of day for the first time since the Jimmy Carter administration.

"I'd been contemplating it for a few years, just kind of cutting it off," he said Thursday.

Taylor did so unannounced, stunning his four adult daughters who had never seen their father clean-shaven.

It brought an end to the reign of one of college basketball's - and Hampton Roads' - finest examples of a dying art form. The mustache is not nearly as popular as it was when Taylor was growing up, with Burt Reynolds ruling the silver screen and Mark Spitz the Olympic pool.

The relative rarity of the 'stache today made Taylor, 53, a popular target among opposing fans. At James Madison two seasons ago, students donned paper mustaches in homage to Taylor.

Among those sporting the retro look were two of Taylor's daughters.

"It's almost embarrassing talking about it," he said. "But I guess it was a conversation piece when I had it, and it's a conversation piece now."