The plot involves a boy with a dream, a cross-campus odyssey and the search for true university spirit.

West Virginia University’s University Relations created a fable-like tale of Mountaineer mascot Brock Burwell’s quest to find his WVU spirit and pass it on to the University’s newest Mountaineers via a video that helped initiate some 5000 freshmen at the fall 2010 New Student Welcome.

Now the story, “Born to Be a Mountaineer” (unofficially titled “The Brockumentary” ), is receiving international notice through its recognition with a 2010 Bronze Telly Award in the Education category.

The Telly Awards recognize work produced by top advertising agencies, production companies, TV stations, cable companies, interactive agencies and corporations around the world. This year’s competition received more than 13,000 entries from all 50 U.S. states and five continents.

Kelly Heasley, who led the team that created and produced the mini-documentary, said its purpose was to build pride and a true sense of Mountaineer identity among the new freshmen – and all of Mountaineer nation.

“It was created for new students, but it was a message for everyone who loves WVU,” she said.

“Brock dreamed of being the Mountaineer mascot from the time he was a little boy. He will tell you he was born to be a Mountaineer,” Heasley said.

“What we wanted to do say with the video was that everyone who is part of WVU – students, faculty, staff and alumni – are, at heart, just like Brock. We were all born to be Mountaineers.”

The video has been viewed more than 25,000 times on YouTube.

-WVU-

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