Alumni and friends of West Virginia University are being asked to support the Mountaineer Marching Band this year by helping purchase new uniforms.

The WVU Foundation is kicking off its Band Aid Uniform Drive this week to help buy 500 new uniforms for the “Pride of West Virginia” as the band is affectionately known.

It’s been nine years since the last Band Aid Uniform Drive, and Mountaineer Marching Band Director Jay Drury said the current uniforms have served the band well.

“These uniforms literally have been all over the country in all types of weather, from rainstorms to snowstorms,” said Drury. “The generosity shown by alumni and friends back in 2006 to help us pay for our current uniforms was outstanding. Now that we’re ready for new uniforms, we’re confident that support will be there once again.”

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.”

Drury said the new uniform will look quite similar to the current uniform, featuring the flying WV logo on the front, reversible capes and helmets with interchangeable gold, blue and white plumes.

Mary Esposito, assistant director of the WVU Foundation’s University Fund, is coordinating the Band Aid Uniform Drive. She said donors have several options.

“Those interested in making gifts to the uniform drive can donate a whole uniform or purchase pieces such as coats, pants, or helmets separately. Full $700 donations will feature the donor’s name inside of the uniform,” Esposito said.

The University has agreed to match each full uniform donation of $700 with another additional uniform.

Those wishing to give to the Band Aid Uniform Drive can do so online at www.wvubandaid.com or contact the WVU Foundation, 304.284.4000 or 800.8470.3856.

Esposito believes the new uniforms will see another nine to 10 years of use after their planned debut at this fall’s Homecoming football game, Oct. 10, when WVU hosts Oklahoma State.

“The entire band takes great pride in our sound and appearance,” said WVU Marching Band Drum Major Austin Anderson, a fourth year member of the Pride from New Market, Tennessee. “With the support of our fans, the new uniforms will enable us to carry on that tradition where ever we perform.”

Drum Major Tyler Cooper, a fourth year member of the Pride from Wellsburg, added, “We are continually humbled by the amount of support we receive from our fans and I want to thank them ever so much for helping us to do the things we do and to look like an organization worthy of representing our great state and University.”

All Band Aid Uniform Drive donors will receive a Pride of West Virginia magnet. Donors of $100 or more receive a magnet and a band CD. Donors of $350-$699 get a magnet, CD, and an invitation to the Pride’s end-of-the-season Key Notes Concert.

Donors to the uniform drive also can qualify for three different giving clubs. The Band Member’s Club is made up of donors of $700-$999. They receive a magnet, CD, invitation to the Key Notes Concert, Pride of West Virginia retired uniform helmet, and their name inside the new uniform. The Drum Major’s Club is comprised of donors of $1,000-$4,999. They receive Band Member’s Club Benefits and an invitation to the WVU Foundation Tailgate Tent. Donors of $5,000 or more become members of the Band Director’s Club. They receive Band Member’s Club benefits, an invitation to the WVU Foundation Tailgate Tent, and a framed flying WV from a retired uniform.

Contributions to the Band Aid Uniform Drive are made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $1 billion fundraising effort by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2017.

-WVUF-

hk/07/28/15

CONTACT: 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.