Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni and Fans,
Tuesday night at the men's basketball game, a new Mountaineer will be
selected to take over a role that I have filled for the last two years. I write
this short letter to express to you how much I have loved being your
Mountaineer.
This has been a life changing experience for me and has
literally been the best two years of my life. I cannot begin to put into words
how blessed I feel to have had this wonderful opportunity. I have made more
memories during these two years than I would have hoped to make in a lifetime.
Growing up a huge WVU fan, this experience has been a dream come
true.
I recall as a child watching my favorite WVU player, Quincy
Wilson, play here and make amazing runs and now when I see him, he, on many
occasions, has smiled and approached me. There is no price tag that I could
ever put on that. Quincy was my favorite player of all-time and still is to
this day! It blows my mind that he would ever be happy to see me of all people!
Throughout my two years I have had many opportunities to speak
with former Mountaineers and it really touches me to see how interested and
passionate they are about the position years from when they served their
tenure. Like them, this is not a position that I will graduate and forget about.
The experiences that I have had in these two years will be with
me till the day I die. Again, I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to
serve the university and state that I love so dearly.
I have been asked many times what my favorite moment being the
Mountaineer has been. It is difficult for me to answer that question as I have
had so many great memories that would be impossible to choose just one.
Whether it would be going up on stage with the College GameDay
crew, cheering on the team in the Orange Bowl or those first moments when I was
selected back in 2010, I have a lifetime full of memories.
Believe me, I do not share these stories to boast about myself.
I do it to allow you to understand how much fun I have had and how this
experience has been life changing.
During my first year as the Mountaineer, I truly got a taste of
how much the Mountaineer really meant to those involved with this University
and state. I had the opportunity to attend the press conference in which Oliver
Luck was announced as our new Athletic Director.
I felt honored just to be there as this was a big event. Right
as the event was getting ready to start, Mr. Luck walked in the room (which was
filled with much more important people than me mind you). He scanned the room
and then made his way straight to me without saying a word to anyone and, with
a big smile on his face, shook my hand and said, "It's great to see the
Mountaineer again!"
That was such an awesome moment for me and I couldn't help but
have a big smile on my face as he stood there with me.
Last Summer I was at the stadium giving a tour to a group of
children and once I was finished I was summoned into the building by an
assistant coach. I was led into coach Holgorsen's office because he saw me
outside and wanted to "chat."
We talked for a while about various topics and he gave me a tour
of his office. To be honest, I don't remember half of what he said. I was just
thrilled to have him call me in to talk for a bit. The young boy in me came out
while I was in his office.
Growing up loving WVU football, I would never have imagined that
I would be in the office of the head coach of WVU just simply talking. I did my
best to keep from acting like I was a kid in a candy store, at which I probably
failed. We have spoken since and while that's always a thrill, that one moment
will be a very special one for me and one I will never forget.
While being there was amazing, my favorite part of that
experience was when I saw a postcard I signed to him at the beginning of the
season framed and sitting on his desk. Unbelievable. I could have never
expected that.
Throughout the past few weeks, I have watched these individuals
try-out to become the next Mountaineer and it has really brought me back to the
first year that I tried out. I had made it to the final four and to the
try-out.
The night of the try-out, I was very nervous but really excited
to have this opportunity and when it was finally my turn, I went out and did
the best that I could. I was working the crowd and talking to people. I felt
like I was doing a great job.
Now you have to understand that Brady Campbell had just
completed his two terms as the Mountaineer and was on his way out and I was
vying to become his successor. Everyone loved Brady as the Mountaineer and no
one was ready to see him leave.
That being said, I made my way down to the student section and
was feeling good but when I got to the middle of the students, a guy turned
around, pointed straight at me and, with the meanest look, said, "YOU'RE NOT
BRADY!" I had no idea how to respond to that. He was right. I was not Brady but
I was doing the best I could! I just simply said, "Let's go Mountaineers!"
He then came back with, "You're NOT Brady!"
Looking back, I can't help but laugh at that situation but he
really threw me off that night. I refused to go back in the student section and
I think it hurt my score to be honest.
That night I think I really began to understand how important
the Mountaineer is to the students and fans. They were not ready to see him
leave and they were not afraid to let me know it!
While this may be a joyous time in my life (Graduating with
Master's Degree, finishing up being the Mountaineer, etc.) I am deeply saddened
by it. I worked so hard to be the Mountaineer. I have wanted this my entire
life and worked toward that goal my entire time in college.
With the sun now setting on my time as the Mountaineer, I am
beginning to recollect all of the great times I have had. While I have had some
great memories, it is sad to realize that those memories are becoming just
that, memories.
These two years have been the best two years of my life and I
wouldn't change them for anything in this world but I would by lying if I said
it will not be a sad day when I pass on the position to the new Mountaineer.
All of that said, I have you all to thank for everything. You
all have helped make these two years unforgettable with your love, kindness and
helpfulness. I would not have been the Mountaineer I was without our great
students, faculty, staff and fans.
I will still be the Mountaineer until April 20th and hope to
make many more memories in this last stretch, but I pray that when the new
Mountaineer takes over, you treat him with as much respect and love as you have
me.
As odd as this sounds, I must say also goodbye to the
"Mountaineer."
While you may believe that I am the Mountaineer, I believe
differently. I simply filled the role of the Mountaineer much like an actor
fills a role in a movie. Many individuals have played the part before me and
there will be many more to come in the future.
When I first became the Mountaineer, I had so many new and fresh
ideas to bring to the position, but I quickly found out that I would not change
the Mountaineer, the Mountaineer would change me. I have found this to be true
and I am a much better person today than I was when I took over this position
two years ago.
I have tried my best to represent each and every one of you in
the best way that I possibly could.
The position of the Mountaineer is rich with tradition and
history and I hope I have added to that in some small way. All I have ever
wanted was to leave a positive impact on this university and I hope that I have
done that.
Again, I just want to thank you for everything you all have done
for me! It has truly meant the world and I will never forget it!
Farewell,
Brock Burwell
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