Supporters of the West Virginia University Marching Band have once again stepped up to support the Pride of West Virginia.
The WVU Foundation announced today (Oct. 18) that the 2012 Pride Travel Fund has received a record $103,083 from 892 donors to date. This year’s campaign surpassed the previous record $92,320 raised in 2011.
The annual campaign was established to help defray the costs of travel for the band, known as the Pride of West Virginia. A check presentation with the band will take place during halftime of the WVU vs. Kansas State game Saturday (Oct. 20).
“We are very humbled by the outpouring of support from the many alumni and fans of the WVU Marching Band,” said Director Jay Drury. “The record support from these wonderful donors allows the Pride to continue to take West Virginia University to the people of our great state, and also to represent both the state and the university on a national stage.”
With the financial assistance of donors, the University and the Athletic Department, the Pride was able to travel to Washington D.C. on Sept. 15 and perform when the Mountaineers defeated James Madison at FedEx Field. Along with the football game, the Pride also is participating in several exhibition shows across the state and region this fall.
“The generous support of the Pride Travel Fund donors has enabled this campaign to be a success and once again provide the band with the ability to represent WVU outside the state,” said Mary Esposito, assistant director of the Foundation’s University Fund and director of the Pride Travel Fund campaign. “Without this support year after year, it wouldn’t be possible.”
Since 2007 – the first year of the Pride Travel Fund – donations have helped enable the band to travel to away football games at Auburn, Cincinnati, Connecticut, LSU, Louisville, Marshall, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse. Contributions also have helped the band to travel to exhibition shows and parades across West Virginia and surrounding states.
To learn more about the Pride Travel Fund or contribute, visit http://www.pridetravelfund.com
Gifts to the Pride Travel Fund also count in A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The goal of this comprehensive campaign is $750 million.
The WVU Foundation is a private non-profit corporation that generates, receives and administers private gifts for the benefit of WVU.
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CONTACTS: Jay Drury, WVU Marching Band
304.293.3097; jay.drury@mail.wvu.edu
or
Mary Esposito, WVU Foundation
304.284.4016; mesposito@wvuf.org
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.