Marshall University Alumni Association

Break out the Sharpies
Escarpeta signs autographs, calls Marshall 'family'
By Tomoko Horie, The Parthenon, 9/20/07

Media Credit: Melissa Newman
With Sharpie in hand, Arlen Escarpeta signs a copy of We Are Marshall outside the Memorial Student Center Wednesday.

Media Credit: Melissa Newman
A group of fans line up in front of the Memorial Student Center to get We Are Marshall memorabilia signed by Arlen Escarpeta Wednesday.

Arlen Escarpeta talks with David Kluemper, SGA vice president, during his visit to campus Wednesday. Escarpeta played Young Thundering Herd quarterback Reggie Oliver in

Media Credit: Melissa Newman
Arlen Escarpeta talks with David Kluemper, SGA vice president, during his visit to campus Wednesday. Escarpeta played Young Thundering Herd quarterback Reggie Oliver in We Are Marshall. In addition to visiting campus, Escarpeta participated in Saturday's Thunder Walk.

The DVD release of We are Marshall was celebrated with an actor's special visit to Marshall Wednesday.

Arlen Escarpeta, who played Young Thundering Herd quarterback Reggie Oliver in the movie, said "family" is one word to express the city of Huntington and Marshall.

"Huntington, to me, is like one big family," Escarpeta said. "It doesn't matter where you come from. If you are in town, if you go to Marshall, you are welcomed to this family."

He said a lot of people are "very, very friendly" to him, but a couple of people are intimidated by him, Escarpeta said.

"There is no reason to be (intimidated). I don't look at myself as a big star, I look at myself as a hard working actor," Escarpeta said.

Student Body President Dominique Elmore said this is a great opportunity for students to meet an actor from the movie that Marshall is so proud of.

Escarpeta, who left school himself to pursue his acting career, said he enjoyed the atmosphere of being on a college campus.

"I am 26. I am young just like the students here on campus," he said. "So any time I get to go to a college campus, I always look for time to meet the new people."

Elmore said she had a chance to hang out with Escarpeta with some other friends during last weekend's Marshall football game.

"He is very nice and so down-to-earth," Elmore said. "He is very inspiring. He did so much outside of signing the DVDs. He really wants to interact with everyone."

Brittany Davies, sophomore English major from Elizabeth, W.Va., said she bought a DVD this morning to get an autograph.

"It is really exciting to have a Hollywood actor come to a small town in West Virginia to show the support for this film and their appreciation for the school," Davies said.

Escarpeta said the town and the people in Huntington made this movie different.

"Everything for this movie is so much bigger and so much more important," Escarpeta said. "It makes you want to work harder. It really really does."

Jessica Preece, senior elementary education major from Kenova, W.Va,. brought eight DVDs as gifts and for her friends who could not make it today to get his autograph.

"This is the second time to see him. He is a great guy," Preece, who had a chance to chat with Escarpeta, said.

Pam Haynes, director of the West Virginia Film Office, said Escarpeta did not accept any appearance fees. The other travel-related expenses are paid by several sponsors, such as the West Virginia Division of Tourism and the Marshall University Alumni Association.

Bill Bissett, chief of staff and senior vice president for communications, said the Marshall University Office of Communication paid $500 to cover part of Escarpeta's plane ticket.

"He has been so patient and so great everywhere he has been," Bissett said. "And he created the tremendous amount of excitement, not only for the DVD but also for the Marshall University."