Move over beard-growing competition. With a $1,000 cash prize up for grabs, students are getting in tune for another Mountaineer Week contestMountaineer Idol.

WVU student Marci Lane saidMountaineer Idol,a spin-off of the popularAmerican Idolreality TV show on Fox, will feature student contestants and a fantastic lineup of judges.

Dont expect Simon to show up, but there may be surprise guests,Lane said.

Bring your friends, energy and excitement to tryouts at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in the Mountainlair Shenandoah Room during WVUp All Night,she added.

During the preliminary competition, contestants will be required to sing 30 seconds of a song of their choice a cappella. A five-person panel of non-students will then evaluate each performance and whittle the group down to 10 finalists.

Results will be revealed on the MIX Monday, Oct. 11, with the top 10 going on to compete in elimination rounds at 10 p.m. Oct. 15, 22 and 29 and Nov. 5 in theLair Food Court.

Lane, the mistress of ceremonies and a semi-finalist on last Januarys edition ofAmerican Idol,said each elimination round will have a designated theme such as pop, country, R&B and rock.

Contestants will not only be judged on their singing abilities, but overall performance as well and how they adapt to each genre of music.

Mountaineer Idolculminates with the final two contestants going head-to-head in a finale Sunday, Nov. 14, at 3 p.m., the official kick-off of Mountaineer Week 2004 activities at WVU .

Lane anticipates a large turnout with a cash prize of $1,000, a chance to sing the national anthem at a WVU mens basketball game and the title ofMountaineer Idolon the line.

Before students start dreaming of their 15 minutes of fame, she said there are some rules they need to know:

  • Mountaineer Idolis restricted to WVU students. Those who are interested in signing up should call 293-2702.
  • Participants are required to sign a contract indicating that they will abide by the rules and understand that judgesdecisions are final. Signed copies of the rules need to be returned to the Mountainlair Administrative Offices on the second floor of theLair by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5. A set of rules will also be e-mailed to each student.
  • All contestants must attend a mandatory orientation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Hatfields.

Mountaineer Idolis sponsored by Coca-Cola and organized by WVU Student Affairs, in partnership with Fox 46, which reminds students to watch the next installment ofAmerican Idol( www.idolonfox.com ) in January.

For additional information pertaining to auditions and rules, write to Lane at mlane2@mix.wvu.edu or call Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Week coordinator, at 304-293-2702.

Meanwhile, details on the annual Mountaineer Week beard growing competition are forthcoming.