We are excited to announce the 10 finalists for the 2008 Art of Manliness Man of the Year Award Sponsored by Old Spice. We received over 120 fantastic nominations. It was agonizingly difficult to pare down the many worthy nominees to just 10. All of the men nominated represented the best in manliness. It was touching and inspiring to read the stories behind these great men. The entries were judged by both the qualities of the men in question, and the essay’s ability to engagingly convey the nominee’s virtues. With the help from the folks at Old Spice, we picked what we think are the best of the best.

The goal of The Art of Manliness Man of the Year Award is to honor ordinary men who represent paragons of manliness. We weren’t looking for celebrities. Those guys get enough attention and accolades already. We’re looking for a man’s man; guys who work hard, support their family,  and give back to their community without expecting to be rewarded for their efforts. The AoM Man of the Year takes on responsibility willingly; he doesn’t shirk from it. He’s has a confident swagger without being a blowhard. He’s proficient in the manly arts. He does the right thing, even when it’s not convenient. He’s loyal to his friends and family.

How to Vote

Visit the official voting page to see the list and pics of the nominees. From there you can read about each man and why they should be the 2008 Art of Manliness Man of the Year. Voting polls can be found in the sidebar, the official voting page, and on each finalist’s bio page.

Voting is open until December 14, 2008 at 11:59PM. The man with the most votes will be named the 2008 Art of Manliness Man of the Year and will receive $2,000 in cash and a manly gift basket of Old Spice Products. The runners up will receive prizes of Old Spice products.

Vote today! After you do, make sure to tell your friends and family to vote, too. May the best man win!

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We all know men in our lives who represent what’s best about manliness. The live their lives quietly and with great dignity and honor. They work hard, do their best to be good husbands and fathers, and they serve their community and their country. Sadly, this type of man rarely gets any recognition for his example of true manhood. Honorable manliness has ceased to be celebrated.

The Art of Manliness and Old Spice would like to change that.

AoM is teaming up with Old Spice in presenting the First Annual Art of Manliness Man of the Year Award. Our goal is find a man who represents the ideals that The Art of Manliness represents. We want to honor this man and give him $2,000 in cash. And you’re going to help us.

Who is the Art of Manliness Man of the Year?

The Art of Manliness Man of the Year isn’t a celebrity or a national hero, he’s a regular guy, a man who:

• Looks out for and is loyal to his friends and family.
• Does the right thing, even when it’s not convenient.
• Serves and gives back to his community.
• Sacrifices for the good of others.
• Works hard and never complains.
• Has a confident swagger, but isn’t a pompous jerk.
• Has a sense of humor but doesn’t cut people down.
• Embraces instead of shirks responsibility.

The Selection Timelines

From October 20, 2008 until November 9, 2008, we’ll be accepting nominations for the award. Nominations are open to anyone and everyone.

An editorial staff will whittle down the nominees to 10 manly finalists. Starting November 24, 2008 and running until December 13, 2008 voting will open to the public at The Art of Manliness website. The finalist with the most votes will be named The Art of Manliness Man of the Year.

The Award

First and foremost, receiving the honor of being Man of the Year is an award in itself. But we want to do more for the Art of Manliness Man of the Year. That’s why we’re giving this paragon of manliness a $2,000 cash prize. That’s right. The Grand Prize for the Man of the Year is $2,000 in cold hard cash. He’ll also get a manly gift basket filled with 12 Old Spice deodorants and 12 Old Spice body washes.

The 9 other finalists won’t be walking away empty handed. They’ll also be given an assortment of products from Old Spice.

How to Nominate

Do you know someone you think should be Man of the Year? Fill out and submit this online nomination form by November 9, 2008. You’ll be required to give the nominee’s name, age, and location. Also, you must upload a picture of the nominee and you must write a short essay in 800 words or less on why your nominee should be The Art of Manliness Man of the Year. This is your time to convince America that your nominee deserves the honor, so give it your best effort. Finally, you must submit the name, phone number, and email address of two references who can vouch for your nominee’s manliness.

Again, the deadline to enter a nominee is November 9, 2008.

Good luck to all your manly friends, brothers, fathers, boyfriends, and husbands!

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