ATLANTA -- With production of "We Are Marshall" wrapping up and people's excitement building to see it on the big screen, Marshall University officials see even the bigger picture.
Marshall President Stephen Kopp said the Warner Bros. Pictures' film will have an untold impact on the university.
"I think it's a potential major impact, and we have to be prepared for it," he said Saturday during a tailgate party near the Georgia Dome. "We're in the process of putting plans in place to capitalize on it."
Kopp said one of the film's biggest impacts could be a rapid enrollment increase. Marshall already has begun a program known as the Legacy Scholarship to attract family members of university alumni who live out of state. Kopp said intercollegiate recruiting also will be important in the wake of "We Are Marshall," which tells the story of the 1970 Marshall plane crash and the miraculous rebuilding of the university's football program.
Lance West, vice president of alumni development at Marshall, agrees that the impact of "We Are Marshall" could be far reaching.
"This is something that takes Marshall to another level," West said. "It means the recruiting of students nationally and globally."
Based on what he has seen in the Atlanta area, John Gilmore, president of Marshall's alumni club in Atlanta, said the movie's impact upon the university will be huge.
"What this will do for Marshall and its enrollment will be phenomenal," Gilmore said.
Aside from the film itself, Warner Bros. Pictures' filmmakers have indicated that bonus features about Marshall University the institution will be included in the eventual DVD release of "We Are Marshall."
Kopp said the relationship with Warner Bros. Pictures' officials, including producer Basil Iwanyk and associate producer Mary Viola, has evolved into enduring friendships.
"We want to continue the relationships that have been developed," Kopp said. "(The Warner Bros. filmmakers) have a deep affinity for Marshall, and they will continue to be wonderful spokespeople for Marshall, as well as for West Virginia."
"We Are Marshall," which stars Matthew McConaughey, David Strathairn and Matthew Fox among many others, is slated for release late this year, possibly as early as October. Warner Bros. Pictures' officials say a Huntington premiere will occur before the national release.
