Members of the West Virginia University Marching Band will be sporting new uniforms during their performances at Saturday night’s (Oct. 10) Homecoming football game against Oklahoma State, thanks, in part, to the generosity of hundreds of alumni and friends.

The WVU Foundation says more than 800 donors have contributed more than $200,000 to the 2015 Band Aid Uniform Drive since the campaign kicked off July 27. This has enabled the band to purchase 500 new uniforms to replace those purchased in 2006 as part of a similar campaign.

“It’s really amazing to see such great support once again for ‘The Pride’ from Mountaineer Nation. We are extremely grateful for this fantastic response,” said Mountaineer Marching Band Director Jay Drury. “We’re really excited about Saturday, and being able to show off our new uniforms to the home crowd at Mountaineer Field, and all those returning for Homecoming.”

The design of the new uniform, while retaining some styling cues from the previous design, features a larger flying WV logo on the front, reversible capes, and helmets with interchangeable gold, blue and white plumes.

Drury noted the uniform is an important part of the special pride and pageantry that is the Mountaineer Marching Band.

“Where ever we perform, whether it’s at Mountaineer Field, in a parade, or at an away football game, we are not only representing West Virginia University, but our great state and its people,” Drury said. “So it’s important we look our very best, and these new uniforms will help us do just that.”

Mary Esposito, assistant director of the WVU Foundation’s University Fund, coordinated this year’s Band Aid Uniform Drive.

“Thanks to our loyal and passionate donors, we were able to exceed our minimum fundraising goal,” Esposito said. “Their support makes these much needed new uniforms possible for the Mountaineer Marching Band.”

Esposito added that the University has agreed to match each full uniform donation of $700 with another additional uniform.

She said those who have not made a gift yet to the Band Aid Uniform Drive can still do so. Several options are available including a gift to purchase an entire uniform, or pieces such as coats, pants, or helmets separately. Full $700 donations will feature the donor’s name inside the uniform, she noted.
Those wishing to give to the Band Aid Uniform Drive can do so online at www.wvubandaid.com or contact the WVU Foundation, 3040-284-4000 or 800-8470-3856.

Contributions to the Band Aid Uniform Drive count toward ””A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University””:http://www.astateofminds.com. The $1 billion fundraising effort by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2017.

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CONTACTS: Jay Drury, WVU Marching Band
304-293-3097; jay.drury@mail.wvu.edu
Mary Esposito, WVU Foundation
304-284-4016; mesposito@wvuf.org

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.