"The Pride" turns 100

June 14th, 2001

American playwright and author Wilson Mizner once quipped,”Lifes a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.”

If such is the case, it’s easy times ahead for the nationally renowned West Virginia University Marching Band.

“The Pride of West Virginia,”as the band is commonly known, is 100 years old this year, and director John Hendricks and his 350-plus musicians are planning several events to mark the milestone.

An official birthday party will be held at WVU s Homecoming Game against Rutgers Saturday, Nov. 3, at Mountaineer Field. The band will perform with the WVU Alumni Band during its pre-game and halftime shows.

Unofficially, however, the band will have already started celebrating. On Oct. 13,”The Pride”will make its first trip ever to South Bend, Ind., to perform at the WVU -Notre Dame game. The band will also participate in the 2001 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta on Sept. 1.

“Were kicking off the 100th anniversary in the fall because thats the beginning of the academic year,”Hendricks said. The 100th anniversary, he noted, will recognize all of WVU s bandsthe marching band, concert band, wind symphony and basketball pep band.

The WVU Marching Band began in 1901 as an eight-man ROTC Band under the direction of Walter Mestrezat, who led the band for 37 years. The modern era for the band began in the50s and60s under directors Larry Intravaia and Bud Udell.

In 1971, Don Wilcox began his 27-year stint as director. Under his leadership, the band experienced rapid growth and development, tripling in size, accepting women into the program and tackling challenging musical selections.

An announcer at the 1975 Peach Bowl was the first to introduce the band as”The Pride of West Virginia,”and the phrase quickly became the units official nickname. In 1997, the band gained national recognition when it was awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundations Sudler Trophy, considered the Heisman Trophy for marching bands.

Hendricks became the bands 10th director in 1998 after serving as assistant director for five years. The WVU Division of Music alumnus was also a band member from 1979-82.

On being director during the bands centennial year, Hendricks said:”Having been a member of the band and worked with it for years before taking over, its a great feeling. Its quite humbling to be part of a band with such great traditions.”

Band members such as Melissa Hostutler feel just as honored to be associated with the unit as it turns 100.

“Im honored that my last year with the band is going to be its 100th year,”said Hostutler, who plays the piccolo.”Every time I walk out onto the field, I think of all the former band members and the rich history. Once youre a member ofThe Pride,youre always a member.”

While the band is busy marking its 100th birthday, the WVU Alumni Band will be touring Europe. The group leaves Friday, June 15, for a 10-day trip to England, France, Luxembourg, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. The band will perform four concerts on the trip.