Brock Burwell will officially begin his reign as the 2010-11 Mountaineer Mascot when current Mountaineer Rebecca Durst passes the rifle to him in a formal ceremony set for Thursday, April 29.
The ceremony will take place in the Vandalia Lounge of the Mountainlair Student Union at West Virginia University at 3 p.m.
Burwell, a senior Multidisciplinary Studies Major from Harrisville, W.Va., was named the mascot during the March 1st WVU-Georgetown basketball game. His first official appearance as Mountaineer will be at the Gold-Blue Spring Football Scrimmage to be held on Friday, April 30th at 7:30 p.m. at Milan Puskar Stadium.
“Being selected as the next Mountaineer is such a great honor,” Burwell said. “I have been looking forward to this since I can remember and this is literally a dream come true for me. I have had the opportunity to learn under two great Mountaineers during my time as alternate Mountaineer and they have represented this school with much pride and enthusiasm, which I hope to continue. I am excited for this upcoming year and ready to get started.”
Durst, a junior pre-Nursing major from Point Pleasant, WV, and the second female Mountaineer in school history, is completing her term as the 2009-10 Mountaineer Mascot.
“After reflecting on the amazing year I have had as the Mountaineer,” Durst said, “I have learned how valuable this experience has been to me. I have grown and changed as a person, seen the true hospitality and pride West Virginians embody, and made many irreplaceable friends. I did not think it possible, but I am more proud to be a Mountaineer today than when I first pulled the trigger. Because this experience is so unique, I am looking forward to introducing our new Mountaineer Mascot, Brock Burwell, to this exciting journey. As a true Mountaineer, I know he will lead us with his charisma, energy, and unwavering pride.”
The ceremony will begin with opening remarks from James Bailey of Mountain Honorary followed by remarks from the following former Mountaineer Mascots: Brady Campbell, Brandon Flower, Michael Squires, Natalie Tennant and Rock Wilson. Durst will have an opportunity to speak about the experience of serving as 2009-10 Mountaineer, followed by Burwell who will speak about his expectations. Closing remarks will be given by Bailey.
The public is invited to attend this event. For questions, please contact Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Advisor/Scheduling Coordinator at Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu or call the Mountainlair Administrative Offices at 304-293-2702.
For more information on the tradition of the Mountaineer mascot, visit http://alumni.wvu.edu/traditions/mountaineer_mascot/.
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