The West Virginia University Foundation today (Oct. 14) announced that its Band Aid Drive has received $440,000 from some 1,800 donors for 400 new Mountaineer Marching Band uniforms. The goal was to raise $270,000 with all additional funds committed to the purchase of band instruments.The new uniforms are being dedicated during halftime of this afternoon’s WVU vs. Syracuse football game. The band made its first appearance wearing the new uniforms at the Sept. 2 season opener.

“Our band members really love these new uniforms,” said Jay Drury, marching band director.“They are very proud to represent our University and our State. Knowing how many people helped to make this amount a reality makes it even more special. We are all so very thankful to everyone who has supported the campaign in any way.” The previous uniforms were worn by the band for 11 seasons despite a life expectancy of just seven to eight years. Many of the traditional uniform elements have been maintained. However, strikingly new additions include a large “Flying WV” logo on the back of each new full cape and an increased amount of gold. Other features include an embroidered “Flying WV” logo across the left chest and the state outline and words “The Pride of West Virginia” on the right shoulder.

”The attainment of this campaign, surpassing the goal by $170,000, demonstrates how beloved the ‘Pride of West Virginia’ is not only by the people of West Virginia, but by our alumni and friends across the entire nation,” said D. Lyn Dotson, vice president for development of the WVU Foundation. “We were fortunate to have United Bank and Friends of Coal, along with the WVU Alumni Association and the Athletic Department as partners in this drive. They were critical in our efforts to share our needs with the band’s supporters.” Dotson also announced that concurrent with uniform drive, the WVU Foundation successfully conducted a private fund-raising effort to raise an additional $320,000 to help to defray the cost of new band instruments. The additional funds from the Band Aid Drive will be used to match two band instrument challenge gifts from Ed and Susan Maier and the WVU Provost’s Office.

Most band instruments – trumpets, clarinets, trombones and saxophones – are traditionally owned by students, according to Drury. However, specialty instruments such as sousaphones, mellophones, tubas and piccolos, are purchased and maintained by the band.

”An expected amount of natural wear and tear to marching band equipment generally occurs, which left unaddressed, will impact a band’s ability to produce quality sound,” he added. ”Furthermore, the growing size of the Mountaineer Marching Band has added to the need for additional instruments, especially sousaphones. Last year, the ’Pride’ had to borrow instruments from area high schools to fulfill the needs of all its members.”

All who donated to Band Aid received an "I support the Pride of West Virginia" car decal and donors of $100 or more will get a special edition band CD. In addition, Band Members Club donors ($500-$999) will have their names sewn into a new uniform and get a band hat from a retired uniform. Drum Major Club donors ($1,000-$4,999) receive Band Members Club benefits, plus an invitation to the KeyNotes Concert in Morgantown and recognition as a WVU Foundation Partner. Band Directors Club donors ($5,000 or more) are given Drum Major Club benefits and a framed "Flying WV" from a retired uniform.

The WVU Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) corporation chartered in 1954 to generate, administer, invest and disburse contributed funds and properties in support of West Virginia University and its non-profit affiliates.