The West Virginia University Foundation announced Friday (Oct. 8) that the 2010 Pride Travel Fund has received $86,668.57 from 991 donors to date. The ongoing fund was established to help defray the cost of travel for the WVU Marching Band, known as the “Pride of West Virginia.”

A check will be presented to the band at halftime of the WVU vs. UNLV football game Saturday (Oct. 9).

The private funding, combined with financial support provided by the University and the athletic department, enabled the band to travel to WVU’s last away game in Baton Rouge, La., against Louisiana State University. The “Pride” also traveled to the Marshall game Sept. 10, and is participating in several exhibition performances across the region this season. A pep band also will make the trip to Pittsburgh for the annual “Backyard Brawl” Nov. 26.

“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 support from WVU alumni and band supporters, the band can increase the number of its appearances, he said.

“Band members really enjoyed our trips to Marshall and LSU. Along the way we were able to perform at several high schools in southern West Virginia, 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.”

For the first time this year, donors to the Fund were given a Text2Give option using their mobile device; 147 people contributed via text.

Since 2007, the first year of the Pride Travel Fund, donations have helped to enable the band to travel to away football games at Auburn, Cincinnati, Connecticut, LSU, Louisville, Marshall, Pitt and Syracuse.

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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CONTACTS: Jay Drury, WVU Marching Band
304-293-3097

Kristen Larrick, WVU Foundation
304-284-4016

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.