News

Stay tuned!  Invitations are soon to come from the College of Creative Arts for a celebration of the Pride Practice Field and Facility being held at 10:30 am on Sunday, October 3.  Pride Alumni members will be Dean Jackson’s special guests for a brunch celebration in the Canady Creative Arts Center parking lot.  Let’s celebrate the progress made to raise money in support of the Pride Practice Field and Facility project and launch the next phase of a home for our marching band.  

Let’s Go!

We hope you are well and enjoying your summer!  Did you see the Best Virginia team and some of our own WVU Alumni Band members on ESPN during the TBT Basketball Tournament this past week in Charleston, WV?  If you didn’t see any of the games, you sure missed a great time.  

Congratulations to Best Virginia for making it to the 3^rd round!  Even though they were defeated by Team 23, they had a great showing and some exciting basketball play. 

A big Thank You to everyone who made their way to Charleston and played in the pep band. You all looked and sounded great!  You made us all very proud!  Thanks goes out to Angelia Barnett for coordinating all of the details with the TBT event staff.  And a special Thank You to Ellen Ramey for not only conducting such a great group of musicians, but for rallying the troops to get the different instrumentation covered. Awesome job everyone! 

We have just 41 more days!  Are you ready for some football?!  As we transition to fall and college football, we have some updates to share about upcoming August events and WVU Homecoming 2021. Please take a moment to review our latest announcements.   

Announcements

· Tuesday, August 10, 2021 – The Pride Picnic is being sponsored by the WVU Alumni Band, Inc.  It will be held at Krepps Park. The High Street Jazz Band will be providing music during dinner.  We need members to assist in setting up starting at 4:00pm. If you would like to participate, email Dave O’Neil (correspondence@wvualumniband.org) so we know how many people to expect.

· Homecoming 2021 – We are pleased to announce that we will return for WVU Homecoming 2021 weekend with a modified schedule.  To plan an engaging weekend, we recently asked all of you to complete a survey about Homecoming weekend.  Additionally, we have been consulting for months with WVU Athletics, the directors of The Pride, and the College of Creative Arts Dean’s Office.  After reviewing the survey responses and getting the latest information available from WVU, we have prepared what we hope will be a weekend filled with new memories as we celebrate being able to gather together with old and new friends.  Because there are no guarantees with each football weekend due to COVID, we have decided to go with a set of activities that most likely will be able to move forward as planned.

o Friday, October 1, 2021

• Homecoming parade – We will plan to march in the parade if WVU has a parade and allows outside organization participation.

o Saturday October 2, 2021

• Pre-game Tailgate – A pre-game tailgate prior to the WVU vs Texas Tech Red Raiders football game.  Time and place will be announced soon.  Tickets to attend the tailgate (which will include food and beverage) will be available.  More details soon.
• Football game – We will have tickets available for purchase for members and 1 guest for each member.  We will not be marching on the field or playing in the stands.

We hope to open Homecoming registration in mid-August as soon as all costs for activities are finalized.  Information will be sent by email and posted on the WVU Alumni Band, Inc. website (www.wvualumniband.org), at our Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wvualumnibandinc), and Facebook Event Page (https://www.facebook.com/WVU-Alumni-Band-Event-Page-103390524613434). 

Sincerely,

2020-2021 WVU Alumni Band, Inc. Officers

Tomorrow, we are launching our second Field of Dreams Silent Auction in support of the WVU Pride Practice Facility. All money from the auction will be donated to this fund.

The Auction goes live on Friday, June 25^th at 12:00am and ends on Friday, July 2^nd at 9:00pm (Eastern time).  The auction is open to band alumni and the general public.  Be sure to share the auction information with your friends and family.  We have four great items (please see attached photos):

• WVU Coaches Field Jacket
• WVU Jacket
• WVU Plush Blanket
• WV Stemless Wine Glass Set and Decanter with Lid

Please review and place your bid for the auction using the following link.

https://desktop.livesourceapp.com/home;county=Monongalia County;eventName=Field of Dreams - June 2021. 

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

Angelia Barnett

Vice President/Fundraising Chairperson

A WVU alumnus is having a Virginia Tech game watch party September 18th on the southern New Jersey shore in Haddonfield.

He is requesting a pep band for before, during, and after the game. This is a beautiful beach house on lots of land, the event will happen rain or shine. Check it out! exitzerohouse.com

If you are in the New Jersey/Philadelphia/Delaware area, please consider volunteering. This will raise over $250 for the new practice field!

Please respond to James Burkhamer at  eventmanager@wvualumniband.org with name, location, phone#, and instrument. 

We need at least 20 people with a good mix of brass, and least one drummer. Once we have confirmation that there are enough volunteers, we will officially launch the event.

Thank you and Let's Go Mountaineers!

Dear Pride Alumnus,

Now in existence for over 50 years, we continue to strive to make our University Marching Band program one of the best, if not the best in the nation.  We hope that you will be able to take part in one or more of the many exciting events that we are offering this year and experience firsthand the pride we take in supporting the Pride of WV.

We, the Alumni Band, rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses for support. Without the assistance of Pride-minded individuals just like you, we wouldn't be able to serve those in our Marching Band each year.

This week, we are starting out with our first Silent Auction of many more to come. The Auction runs through Sunday, February 28 and is open to everyone.  Be sure to share the auction information with your friends and family.  We have two great items:

• John Denver with the Pride of WV framed photo
• Pride and Alumni Band coat rack

Please review and place your bid for the auction using the following link.

https://desktop.livesourceapp.com/home;county=Monongalia%20County;eventName=Field%20of%20Dreams%20Auction%20for%20Pride%20of%20WV. 

This Field of Dreams Auction is in support of the WVU Pride Practice Facility Fund.  All money from the auction will be donated during the WVU Day of Giving.  On Wednesday, March 3, the Day of Giving donations will be matched dollar for dollar by the Maier Foundation in support of the Pride Practice Facility and Field Project.  

Thank you in advance for your support!

Sincerely,

Angelia Barnett

Vice President/Fundraising Chairperson

WVU Alumni Band, Inc.

From:  WVU Alumni Band, Inc. Officers, 2020-2021

Date:  February 19, 2021

We are writing to give you an update on the campaign to fundraise for the Pride Practice Facility and Field Project, and we have some good news to share with you!

As you know, your Alumni Band has been helping to raise money for a new state of the art practice facility and field for the Pride of West Virginia.  The construction will be completed in three phases:

1. Turf Field;

2. Storage Building;

3. Covered Pavilion. 

The band has provided all of us with lifelong friendships and memories.  It is time for us to give back and provide a permanent home for the future generations of band kids experiencing what we once did, because who cares about the band as much as WE do?

We have agreed to partner with the College of Creative Arts Dean, Keith Jackson, and Development Director, Jennifer Jordan, to make this project a success.  Through our partnership with the College, approximately $650,000 has been raised supporting the facility to date. 

The good news we are thrilled to share with you is that the College of Creative Arts has been awarded a “matching grant,” up to $250,000, from the Maier Foundation for the upcoming WVU Day of Giving on March 3.  You read that right: donations in support of the Pride Practice Facility and Field Project will be matched dollar for dollar on March 3! 

This is a tremendous opportunity for us!  We are closing in on raising the $1 million required to hold a groundbreaking at Homecoming this fall.  This would be amazing for both band students and alumni alike.  In a year when the student band experience has been anything but normal due to COVID, we can collectively give our band this gift.

You have some options to consider, as we approach March 3:

1.     Become a WVU Day of Giving Ambassador: As an ambassador, you will be equipped with tools to share your WVU passion within your social network and track the impact you're making during the WVU Day of Giving. You help create excitement about WVU Day of Giving before and during the campaign.  Here's how it works:

2.     Recurring Gifts: On the Day of Giving site, a donor can select to make a recurring gift (for example, you can schedule a donation every two weeks for the next year). Recurring donations made on the Day of Giving count for a year’s total (or the total for whatever the designated duration is). The entire recurring gift amount will be eligible to be matched!

3.     Major Gifts and Planned Gifts: If any Alumni Band members have been considering making a Major Gift or Planned Gift towards the Pride Practice Facility, they could do so on the Day of Giving and it will count for the day. You can set up pledge payments for the Major Gift, but the entire gift amount will count towards the day!  Pledge payments could also be set up for gifts that are not quite at the major gift level, however, the full gift amount would be counted towards the day. For instance, if you’re interested in making a $25,000 gift toward the facility, it could be paid over 5 years in $5,000 payments with the entire gift being counted towards Day of Giving…and then matched!

We are sure you all remember back when you started in junior high band and had to go from door-to-door selling something or had car washes or rock-a-thons or…you get the drift.  Things really never change even on the collegiate level.  We have learned this to be true with all universities, not just ours.  Every uniform and most band travel are paid for by donors like yourselves.  This field will be a lasting tribute to our commitment and love for the Pride of West Virginia. 

We didn't have a “home” when we were in band, but we can give one to future generations of the marching band.  Please consider asking friends and family to participate in the Day of Giving to ensure we take advantage of the very generous match being provided – and remember, YOU also need to give generously yourselves.

In closing, we'd like to paraphrase the late President Kennedy who said "Ask not what your band can do for you, but what can you do for your band.”  Now is the time… Let’s Go Mountaineers!!

Thank you!

2020-2021 WVU Alumni Band, Inc. Officers

The February meeting of the WVU Alumni Band, Inc. will be held virtually (Zoom) on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 7:30pm.  Registration is required and you must be a paid member to participate.  An email with login information will be sent to all registrants on February 8, 2021.  Please go to the Events section of the website to register.

Hello,

This is a reminder that your membership is due for renewal as of today with the WVU Alumni Band, Inc.  Membership dues are $35.00 (voted on by the membership at the October 2020 WVU Alumni Band, Inc. annual meeting).  However, if you pay your dues by April 1, an early bird discount will apply, which makes your dues $20.00.   Please see information below about important changes to the renewal process.

2. You can renew online by logging in with your email and password.  If you do not remember your password, please select the "Forgot Password" link located in the upper right corner of the homepage under the login fields. If you do not remember the email address you used to register, do not sign up for a new account.  Please email the site administrator at webmaster@wvualumniband.org. 

3. Registration Form

a. If you have an outstanding membership renewal from any previous year, please contact the site administrator at webmaster@wvualumniband.org before completing the registration form.  

b. Once you complete the renewal form, the invoice can be paid using PayPal.  To pay by check, please select the option to create an invoice.  Payment should be made to WVU Alumni Band, Inc.  You can mail your payment to the address below.    

WVU Alumni Band. Inc.
745 Broadway Street    

East McKeesport, PA 15035

c. Your membership renewal may take up to 7 days to post to your account.  If you have questions, please email Sarah Bennett-Harper at webmaster@wvualumniband.org.

If you have any other questions, please email the site administrator at webmaster@wvualumniband.org.

Thank you.

January 12, 2021

Greetings fellow Alumni Band members!

We hope each of you had a nice holiday season.  Whether you celebrated with family or stayed close to home, we wish each of you the best in 2021.  

Past Events

The 2020 Annual WVU Alumni Band, Inc. meeting was held via Zoom on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.  The following are highlights from the meeting:

1. Dr. Cheldon Williams spoke to the membership about the WVU Marching Band and how things have been going in dealing with the challenges faced with COVID-19 restrictions during football season.

2. The President, Mary Lechliter-King, gave an update about what the board has been working on since the 2019 homecoming event. 

3. The Chairs for Merchandise, Becky Campbell, and Bylaws, Theresa Smith, were announced.

4. Membership voted to approve an increase in membership dues.  The new amount is $35.00.  Anyone paying their dues by March 31, 2021 will only pay $20 with an early bird discount. 

5. 2020-2021 Officers were elected.

President - Mary Lechliter-King

Vice President - Angelia Barnett

Secretary - Hope Poole

Corresponding Secretary - Dave O’Neal

Treasurer - Wanda Hembree

Website/Membership - Sarah Bennett-Harper

Equipment Manager - John Sinsel

Pep Bands - James Burkhamer

Adopt-A-Dot Campaign Updates

We continue to raise funds for the new Alumni Band Practice Facility.  We have currently sold over 185!  Thank you to those who have already participated. Former Pride Assistant Director, David Satterfield, has shared with us his support for this new facility.

Being the Assistant Director of the Mountaineer Marching Band has been one of the true honors and highlights of my career. Each and every year, the Pride of West Virginia touches literally tens of thousands of West Virginians with a visible display of State tradition, pride, and excellence. More importantly, this iconic group provides life-changing experiences for the 300+ members each and every year.

2020 marks the 40th anniversary of new Mountaineer Field ---- Mylan Puskar Stadium. During that time, our athletic facilities, programs, notoriety, and our place in football history has evolved significantly. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the rehearsal facilities of the Mountaineer Marching Band. It is time for a new practice facility and I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in this heroic undertaking.

A new practice facility will assist with recruiting as well as provide a rehearsal space fitting the excellence which continues to be a hallmark of our program. It is well past time for a dedicated, modern, and versatile rehearsal facility for the Pride of West Virginia. I am proud that our institution has seen this need as a priority for investment and support. I hope you join me and consider supporting this effort as well. 

Sincerely,

David Satterfield

Director of Asset Development and Associate Professor of Music

Former WVU Marching Band Assistant Director, 1983-1992

Former WVU Marching Band Percussion Coordinator, 1981-1982

Former WVU Marching Band Percussion Instructor, 1980

For more information about the practice facility or to purchase a dot, please go to https://give.wvu.edu/pridepracticefacility.  For a more economical option, please remember that you can purchase your dot with a monthly payment plan.  

Upcoming Events

Auctions - The WVU Alumni Band, Inc. will be launching a new auction fundraising event at the end of January. More information will be provided in the coming days about the first auction item.

February Membership Meeting - Members are invited to attend our February meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021.  Registration information will be provided around February 1, 2021.

2021 Membership Dues - Event Payment

Membership renewal for 2021 will be processed as an "Event" from our website.  Starting Friday, January 15, 2021 you will need to go to the website and login to process your payment.  You will find the 2021 Membership renewal under the Event tab or on the homepage under Upcoming Events.  More information will be released on January 15^th about paying dues. 

We rely on membership dues to pay for our website, storage unit, insurance, and office supplies, to name a few. Without your dues, we will not have an organization.  Fees for homecoming only pay for homecoming events and do not fund our general operating costs. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@wvualumniband.org.

Stay safe and Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Sincerely,

Officers and Board of Directors, WVU Alumni Band Inc., 2020-2021

September 20, 2020

Greetings fellow Alumni Band members!

Let’s Go Mountaineers!  After months of uncertainty, NCAA football is finally underway and our Mountaineers are off to a great start for the 2020 season.  We hope each of you will try to catch a game by radio or TV throughout the season and sing Country Roads with each victory.

Upcoming Events

Although Homecoming events are cancelled, we will be holding our 2020 Annual WVU Alumni Band, Inc. meeting.  The meeting will be a virtual Zoom meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 7:30pm.  This is a member only meeting.  Those members with current paid membership will receive more information about registration for the event.

Adopt-A-Dot Campaign Updates

We continue to raise funds for the new Alumni Band Practice Facility.  We have currently sold over 100 dots!  Thank you to those who have already participated. Former Pride Director, Don Wilcox, has shared with us his support for this new facility.

The project of providing a long-needed all-weather practice facility for the Pride of West Virginia is one that has been dear to my heart for many years.  From our years of practice at the infamous “Mud Bowl” with its ankle-deep puddles, to eventually our paved parking lot by the Coliseum which was the band’s happy home for many years, it has been a long journey of almost 50 years.

The idea of an actual indoor facility [covered pavilion] for the marching band was a dream of mine for almost half a century, and maybe the time has finally come!  I would love to come back for Homecoming and share such a wonderful facility with the band that will always be Number ONE in my heart. 

Let’s get it built! 

Don Wilcox

Retired, Director of Bands Emeritus, West Virginia University

WVU Marching Band Director, 1971 - 1998

For more information about the practice facility or to purchase a dot, please go to https://give.wvu.edu/pridepracticefacility.  For a more economical option, please remember that you can purchase your dot with a monthly payment plan.  

WVU Alumni Association Pride Webinar

If you weren’t able to participate in the WVU Alumni Association live webinar WVU Check In: The Pride of WV, with the new Pride Director, Dr. Cheldon Williams, and Dean of the College of Creative Arts, Keith Jackson, be sure to check out the recording here. Together, they provided an update about the marching band, the new Pride practice facility, and other programs at the College of Creative Arts.

Finally, if you haven't paid your 2020 dues, please do so as soon as you are able. We rely on that money to pay for our website, storage unit, insurance, and startup money for fundraising events, as well as office supplies, to name a few. Without your dues, we will not have an organization.  Fees for homecoming only pay for homecoming events and do not fund our general operating costs. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at info@wvualumniband.org.

Stay safe and Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Sincerely,

Officers and Board of Directors, WVU Alumni Band Inc., 2019-2020