"We Are Marshall" Sparks Enrollment
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Posted: 4:36 PM Oct 11, 2008
"We Are Marshall" Sparks Enrollment
California native Julie Mello was so impressed by the movie "We Are Marshall" that she wound up enrolling at the university.
Reporter: The Associated Press
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - California native Julie Mello was so impressed by the movie "We Are Marshall" that she wound up enrolling at the university.

Her story doesn't stop there, though. Once on campus, she struck up a friendship with Red Dawson, one of the coaches depicted in the Hollywood film. Dawson now runs a construction company in the Huntington area and was moved by Mello's fascination with the movie.

The 65-year-old former coach helped move the 18-year-old freshman into her dorm and has counseled her when she's been homesick.

Now she calls him "Uncle Red." Mello says Dawson shows her the ropes and it's nice to know he is watching out for her.

The 2006 release of the movie dramatized the true story of rebuilding Marshall's football team after the deadly 1970 plane crash.

Mello said she found the movie so inspiring she wanted to go to school in Huntington.

She estimates she's seen the movie more than 100 times. Now Mello is in the middle of her freshman year. She said Huntington has exceeded her expectations.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Educated WVU Alum on Oct 13, 2008 at 04:08 PM

This is a very good story for Marshall! Bringing people from out of state to attend college in WV is good for our state. Not one WVU has said anything bad about this story. I don't understand why you even mentioned WVU in your comments!? And UHERDME, why are you so concerned with WVU? In reality WVU could care a less about MU.
Posted by: Sean on Oct 13, 2008 at 03:45 PM

LOL I am transferring to WVU cuz I am sick and tired of Marshall...
Posted by: booger on Oct 13, 2008 at 02:54 PM

Quick story: My freshman year at MU in '92, I was depressed and homesick. I was 17, first time away from my family. I was so lonely, I went to the top of Holderby Hall to think about my decision of going away to school, and think about going back home. I was standing in the same spot that they filmed the scene with Nate Ruffin and the other player, arguing about whether he should play or not. I decided that I would give it a little longer, and went back down to my dorm, and met a girl, and well, you see where it's going... It was just cool to see the spot where I made one of my first decisions as an "adult", a decision that would shape the rest of my life, being a location in a movie. I get chills when I see that part. I've never regretted my choice to stay at Marshall, and to this day, that night stands out as one of those moments I'll never forget. Go Herd!!!
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