Talk about hitting a high note. The West Virginia University Marching Band, known as the “Pride of West Virginia,” has received $85,505.67 from 750 donors to date, a result of its 2009 Travel Fund campaign.
The WVU Foundation announced the figure today (Oct. 23). The ongoing fund was established to help defer the cost of travel for the WVU Marching Band.
A check will be presented to the band during halftime of the WVU vs. Connecticut football game Saturday (Oct. 24).
The private funding, combined with financial support provided by the University and the athletic department, enabled the band to travel to last month’s football game at Auburn. The band also is participating in several exhibition performances across the region this season, and planning a trip to Cincinnati for a football game Nov. 13.
“On behalf of the band, I want to express our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this fundraising effort,” said Jay Drury, marching band director. “Without the generosity of so many alumni and supporters, we just wouldn’t be able to take our 370-plus member band on the road. I would also like to thank the WVU Foundation for doing such a great job in organizing this effort.”
With the private financial support from WVU alumni and band supporters, the band now has the opportunity to increase its appearances, he said.
“Band members really enjoying taking our show on the road, representing this great state and University,” Drury said. “We really appreciate the generosity of those who support our travel efforts.”
In 2007, the first year of the Pride Travel Fund, donations helped enable the band to travel to away games at Syracuse and Marshall, and a small pep band made the trip to Cincinnati. Last year, gifts to the Fund assisted the band in traveling to away games at Connecticut and Pitt.
To learn more about the Pride Travel Fund or to contribute, visit www.pridetravelfund.com
The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of West Virginia University.
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WVU news on the Web – http://wvutoday.wvu.edu
CONTACTS: Jay Drury, WVU Marching Band
304-293-4841, ext. 3156
Kristen Larrick, WVU Foundation
304-284-4016