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Friendship
The only real purpose of Vern Mulligan's Manhood Challenge is friendship and every effort is made to avoid cliques and bullying, which is a bit of tight rope walk since verbal abuse and trash talking are greatly encouraged. It's how men show affection.
Info and News
2026: VMMC XXIV Champ – Brandon Noonan
At this point Brandon Noonan's name appearing near the top of the leaderboard is as predictable as complaints about discretionary points. For years he built one of the greatest résumés in Manhood history before finally breaking through in 2017. After adding a second title in 2025, Noonan entered 2026 with a chance to accomplish something no athlete ever had: win back-to-back championships. As usual, he didn't start in yellow. Paired with Grunder and Marsh, Noonan opened with
2024 - XXII - A Home Run
Pre-Event A few life events and challenges kept several regulars away this year, leaving us with a pretty small group. With only 10 athletes (plus Pops), things seemed easy—one van, fewer tee times, fewer wiffle ball games, etc. This "sense of ease" left Vern in a rather casual state. No badgering, no early request for funds, no draft plan—"just gonna wing it." An attempt was made to draft teams in advance via Zoom, but scheduling didn’t work out. Hell, the shirt design was s
In the Beginning
The roots of Vern Mulligan’s Manhood Challenge reach back into the late 80’s in Huntington Beach, California. Those endless summers, warm...
About us: The Manhood Challenge
Vern Mulligan’s Manhood Challenge is a classic joining of friends to “compete” in the purist disciplines of true manhood. Friends come...
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VMMC I
Designer: Jake Smith.
Shirt Type: Light-weight white T-Shirt
Print Type: Full Color iron-on appliqué. Homemade
This shirt proved unstable after washing and only a few remain making it highly collectable.
Shirt Type: Light-weight white T-Shirt
Print Type: Full Color iron-on appliqué. Homemade
This shirt proved unstable after washing and only a few remain making it highly collectable.
VMMC II
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Heavy Gray T-Shirt (Considered by most too heavy)
Print Type: Two Color Screen Print in Bright Blue and Navy (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) Silhouettes of a Golfer, Batter, and Bowler, with text including slogan as introduced by Vern’s wife “Where men become boys!” Additional irony introduced via the inclusion of host city Sisters, OR. (Back) “VMMC 2004” printed small up along the neckline
Shirt Type: Heavy Gray T-Shirt (Considered by most too heavy)
Print Type: Two Color Screen Print in Bright Blue and Navy (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) Silhouettes of a Golfer, Batter, and Bowler, with text including slogan as introduced by Vern’s wife “Where men become boys!” Additional irony introduced via the inclusion of host city Sisters, OR. (Back) “VMMC 2004” printed small up along the neckline
VMMC III
Designer: Steve Kellogg
Shirt Type: American Apparel White Cotton w/ with Charcoal Ringer Neck and Sleeve.
Key Features: (Front) Custom Designed “MC3” Logo minimizing the Vern Mulligan aspect. The fully custom graphic set of this shirt was challenged by figure hugging styling of American Apparel designs. Steve did not make the event this year, but was given a shirt for designing this one, becoming the first non-attendee to be given a shirt.
Shirt Type: American Apparel White Cotton w/ with Charcoal Ringer Neck and Sleeve.
Key Features: (Front) Custom Designed “MC3” Logo minimizing the Vern Mulligan aspect. The fully custom graphic set of this shirt was challenged by figure hugging styling of American Apparel designs. Steve did not make the event this year, but was given a shirt for designing this one, becoming the first non-attendee to be given a shirt.
VMMC IV
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Brown Heavy-Weight Cotton
Front not shown Traditional front left chest logo that introduced the use of Roman Numerals for the first time
Shirt Type: Brown Heavy-Weight Cotton
Front not shown Traditional front left chest logo that introduced the use of Roman Numerals for the first time
VMMC V
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Red Mid-Weight Cotton (Graphic Traffic)
Print Type: White Screen print
Key Features: (Front) Roman numeral goes big. A massive V, representing the 5 years of organized reunions, was placed in the center of the chest. Many mistakenly assumed the V was representative of Vern and was designed to remind everyone that this was HIS event.
Shirt Type: Red Mid-Weight Cotton (Graphic Traffic)
Print Type: White Screen print
Key Features: (Front) Roman numeral goes big. A massive V, representing the 5 years of organized reunions, was placed in the center of the chest. Many mistakenly assumed the V was representative of Vern and was designed to remind everyone that this was HIS event.
VMMC VI
Designer: Steve Kellogg
Shirt Type: Navy Blue Heavy-Weight Cotton
Print Type: Silver Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) Again Steve shows what you get when you use a professional. The Greek god Atlas lifts the table as “Vern Mulligan’s Manhood Challenge” collapses sliding off the top. The powerful image mockingly represents the unstable balance between competition and camaraderie that runs deep in every Manhood Challenge event.
Shirt Type: Navy Blue Heavy-Weight Cotton
Print Type: Silver Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) Again Steve shows what you get when you use a professional. The Greek god Atlas lifts the table as “Vern Mulligan’s Manhood Challenge” collapses sliding off the top. The powerful image mockingly represents the unstable balance between competition and camaraderie that runs deep in every Manhood Challenge event.
VMMC VII
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Olive Green Ring Spun Cotton
Print Type: Brown Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) The understated almost faded color of the word Manhood, is contradicted by the oversized font of that word emblazoned across the chest. Accentuating the word MANHOOD was intended to evoke conversation on the street “What is Manhood.”
Shirt Type: Olive Green Ring Spun Cotton
Print Type: Brown Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) The understated almost faded color of the word Manhood, is contradicted by the oversized font of that word emblazoned across the chest. Accentuating the word MANHOOD was intended to evoke conversation on the street “What is Manhood.”
VMMC VIII
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Tan Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Orange and Yellow diamonds intersecting across the chest make no mention of Vern or Manhood as after 8 years it is assumed that the VMMC moniker is understood by all.
Shirt Type: Tan Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Orange and Yellow diamonds intersecting across the chest make no mention of Vern or Manhood as after 8 years it is assumed that the VMMC moniker is understood by all.
VMMC IX
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Black Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) In honor Scott Pirtle’s Manhood Challenge the shirt was emblazoned with LARGE Green letters "SPMC", however playfully, but not so subtly embedded within the SPMC in grey was "Vern Mulligan IX" and "VMMC IX" (Back) No Design (Sleeve) Green Bowling Ball with wager winning 204
Shirt Type: Black Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) In honor Scott Pirtle’s Manhood Challenge the shirt was emblazoned with LARGE Green letters "SPMC", however playfully, but not so subtly embedded within the SPMC in grey was "Vern Mulligan IX" and "VMMC IX" (Back) No Design (Sleeve) Green Bowling Ball with wager winning 204
VMMC X
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Navy Blue midweight Cotton
Print Type: Grey and White, Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) A large "X" emblazoned with the word "Manhood" covered the front left chest in honor of 10 years of brotherhood. (Back) A larger X was covered in the fading scroll of all previous participants and the number of years they had attended, to ensure that every athlete would be remembered and all participants could use the line "My name is on the shirt ...."
Isaac Samsa is erroneously only credited with 3 previous events instead of the actual 4 previous
Shirt Type: Navy Blue midweight Cotton
Print Type: Grey and White, Screen print (Graphic Traffic)
Key Features: (Front) A large "X" emblazoned with the word "Manhood" covered the front left chest in honor of 10 years of brotherhood. (Back) A larger X was covered in the fading scroll of all previous participants and the number of years they had attended, to ensure that every athlete would be remembered and all participants could use the line "My name is on the shirt ...."
Isaac Samsa is erroneously only credited with 3 previous events instead of the actual 4 previous
VMMC XI
Designer: Blue Star Graphics
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Red Mid-Weight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Simple vintage look, white oval panel centered on chest paying homage to our 70's youth. The red, white & Blue paying respect to the July 4 date of the event.
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Red Mid-Weight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Simple vintage look, white oval panel centered on chest paying homage to our 70's youth. The red, white & Blue paying respect to the July 4 date of the event.
VMMC XII
Designer: Grey Wolf Promotions
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Brown, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) An 80's surf inspired sunset, with the Three Sisters silhouette and a setting sun (er Wiffle Ball).
Note: The Vern-less use of Manhood continues
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Brown, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) An 80's surf inspired sunset, with the Three Sisters silhouette and a setting sun (er Wiffle Ball).
Note: The Vern-less use of Manhood continues
VMMC XIII
Designer: Grey Wolf Promotions
Loose Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Graphite, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) A Skull and "Crossbones" team in deference to the 13th event. The Crossbones are formed with a Wiffle Bat and Golf Club, while the eyes are a golfball and Wiffle ball.
Loose Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Graphite, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) A Skull and "Crossbones" team in deference to the 13th event. The Crossbones are formed with a Wiffle Bat and Golf Club, while the eyes are a golfball and Wiffle ball.
VMMC XIV
Designer: Grey Wolf Promotions
Concept; Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Green, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) The Flying Eyeball of Von Dutch fame was modified with Wiffle motif.
Concept; Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Green, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features: (Front) The Flying Eyeball of Von Dutch fame was modified with Wiffle motif.
VMMC XV
Designer: Grey Wolf Promotions
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Blue, Crap Blend - Not Soft, It scratches your nipples
Key Features: (Front) Menacing Chris Kaspar seeks revenge and attacks fleeing stick figures. Harman is hiding in the woods and not depicted.
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Blue, Crap Blend - Not Soft, It scratches your nipples
Key Features: (Front) Menacing Chris Kaspar seeks revenge and attacks fleeing stick figures. Harman is hiding in the woods and not depicted.
VMMC XVI
Designer: Grey Wolf Promotions
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Gray, Crap Blend
Key Features: First Error on Shirt Misspelling of Sister(s). Poorly executed Oregon outline masks the 16th year "I".
Concept: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Gray, Crap Blend
Key Features: First Error on Shirt Misspelling of Sister(s). Poorly executed Oregon outline masks the 16th year "I".
VMMC XVII
Designer: Matt Smith (Kaspar Assist)
Shirt Type: Steel Blue, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Menacing Chris Kaspar seeks revenge and attacks fleeing stick figures. Harman is hiding in the woods and not depicted.
Shirt Type: Steel Blue, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Menacing Chris Kaspar seeks revenge and attacks fleeing stick figures. Harman is hiding in the woods and not depicted.
VMMC XVIII
Designer: Internet Freelancer
Concept & Correction Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Tan, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features:Too many to list. There is simply a lot going on. And riddled with Errors
Concept & Correction Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Tan, Lightweight Ring Spun Cotton
Key Features:Too many to list. There is simply a lot going on. And riddled with Errors
VMMC 18 - Actual Design
The Shirt guy printed a draft not the final as delivered. It was decided to keep the errors and not reprint. There are more than 22 notable differences.
VMMC XIX
Designer: Matt Smith
Shirt Type: Black, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Simple Block Roman Numerals w/ JSH on the sleeve honoring Jeremy Shane Hawks who passed after one last event in 2019
Shirt Type: Black, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Simple Block Roman Numerals w/ JSH on the sleeve honoring Jeremy Shane Hawks who passed after one last event in 2019
VMMC XX
Designer: Matt Smith and Freelancer
Shirt Type: Heather Red, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood Challenge w/ Large XX Numerals and "20 years of Brotherhood" tagline.
(Back) Mt. Manhood with Vern, Harman, Noonan and Pirtle.
Shirt Type: Heather Red, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood Challenge w/ Large XX Numerals and "20 years of Brotherhood" tagline.
(Back) Mt. Manhood with Vern, Harman, Noonan and Pirtle.
VMMC XXI
Designer: Smith Brother's and a Mysterious Pro
Shirt Type: Powder Blue, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Kind Pops Pocket with Event Name and Year
(Back) Large Buffed Pops, with Roz Tattoo and his "catchphrase"
Shirt Type: Powder Blue, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Kind Pops Pocket with Event Name and Year
(Back) Large Buffed Pops, with Roz Tattoo and his "catchphrase"
VMMC XXII
Designer: Vern and ChatGPT
Shirt Type: Dark Green, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood 2024 with simple underline graphic
(Back) Large simple circle with 4 SPorts, Large Banner w/ "Manhood" moniker, the Event XXII and Sisters, OR spelled properly
Shirt Type: Dark Green, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood 2024 with simple underline graphic
(Back) Large simple circle with 4 SPorts, Large Banner w/ "Manhood" moniker, the Event XXII and Sisters, OR spelled properly
VMMC XXIII
Designer: ChatGPT and Vern
Shirt Type: Black, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood Challenge encircling Ronald Headshot (Back) Large 4 Clown, 4 sport, with the Mountains, "Manhood" and "XXIII" and Proper "Sisters, Oregon" The clowns are a play on the label given to many slow and non-responding athletes during the lead up to the event.
Shirt Type: Black, Lightweight Cotton
Key Features: (Front) Manhood Challenge encircling Ronald Headshot (Back) Large 4 Clown, 4 sport, with the Mountains, "Manhood" and "XXIII" and Proper "Sisters, Oregon" The clowns are a play on the label given to many slow and non-responding athletes during the lead up to the event.
Commemorative Shirt
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