Graduate student Brock Burwell wasn’t ready to give up his post as Mountaineer mascot, and now he doesn’t have to.

Burwell has been selected to continue representing West Virginia University on the front lines as the 2011-12 Mountaineer mascot.

The Harrisville native studying athletic coaching education was named mascot during the WVU- Louisville game on Saturday (March 5).

“Brock performed the best throughout the application and cheer-off portions of the selection process,” said Lindsey McIntosh, chair of the selection committee. “I have no doubt he has the experience and ability to do a good job as the Mountaineer for a second term.”

Prior to serving as Mountaineer mascot, Burwell served as the alternate mascot for two years.

Wearing the buckskins is a family tradition for Burwell. His uncle, Rock Wilson, also served as the Mountaineer mascot and Burwell frequently tagged along as the “little Mountaineer.”

A 2005 graduate of Ritchie County High School, Burwell has served as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, team manager of a softball league, chairperson of the Mountaineer Week Beard Growing Competition, member of the Mountain Honorary, WVU Campus Ministries, WVU Sports Management Club, Mountaineer Maniacs and Riverside Ministries.

Burwell has volunteered at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, American Red Cross blood drive events, the Hoss Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House and Rosenbaum Family House, among other things.

He was chosen from among four finalists. The others were: Tyler Colton, a junior sports management major from Shinnston; Jonathan Kimble, a junior sports management major from Franklin; and Dustin Starsick, a sophomore exercise physiology major from Fairmont.

-WVU-

cd/03/05/11

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