Homecoming festivities Oct. 24 included the awarding of prizes in UIndy’s first annual Dog Bowl Video Challenge, in which students were invited to create brief videos explaining why they love the University of Indianapolis.

Winners were selected by popular vote on UIndy’s Facebook page, where the entries are posted for viewing. Elementary education major Ben Bertoli played it for laughs and took home the top prize, a 32-inch high-definition LCD TV. His fast-paced 90-second entry, “UIndy: Best School Ever,” featured fake mustaches, a stirring soundtrack, simulated archival footage and a simulated Miss America.

Bertoli’s victory will be memorialized with the engraving of his name on the official Dog Bowl trophy, created by noted ceramicist and art department chairman Dee Schaad for permanent display in Schwitzer Student Center.

Claiming second prize, a Flip Video camcorder, was freshman Zac Sowinski, a communication major from Merrillville. Third prize, an iPod shuffle, went to freshman Devon Sease, a psychology major from Camby.

Watch other winning videos