WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 21, 2015 — Topper (Corey Klug ’15) knows he can dance! After winning the WV Gear Up Mascot Mania dance-off, Topper returned to the Hilltop a champion today. He competed in Charleston, going up against Concord University’s Mountain Lion, Fairmont State University’s Fighting Falcon and Marshall University’s Bison.

The official Mascot Mania prize belt awarded to Topper today in Charleston, W.Va.

“I’m proud to represent Hilltopper Athletics. I thought the Falcon was really good too, I’m not gonna lie, so I thought he might win,” said Klug, after the competition.

Topper watches from the sidelines at West Family Stadium.

The dance-off took place at the Clay Center and was part of the 2015 Student Leadership Academy to promote college awareness among middle school students. An estimated 1,400 students attended.

A panel of judges assessed the mascots on technique, presentation, entertainment value and integration of college knowledge. Klug danced to the song, Canned Heat by Jamiroquai from the Napoleon Dynamite movie.

Klug, a recent sports broadcasting major from the College of Arts and Communication who graduated in May 2015, is well known in his role as the Hilltop Athletics mascot. He has entertained fans for several years at both basketball and football games.

He previously worked for WLU-TV Channel 14 and also previously served as equipment manager for the football team.

Currently he’s a production assistant at WWVA Radio 1170 and high school football commentator on KISS-FM 95.7 and serves as official crowd emcee for the Wheeling Nailers, ECHL ice hockey team.

A native of Valley Grove, W.Va., he also is serving as Topper at football games regularly as his professional schedule allows. To see a partial video of the Mascot Mania, visit WLU’s twitter feed.

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