New practice facility proposed for Mountaineer Marching Band

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Alumni and WVU officials have announced plans to build a rehearsal facility for the 330 member Mountaineer Marching Band.

“The Mountaineer Marching Band has been an integral part of WVU’s character and pride, bringing their enthusiasm and love of West Virginia to every football game, basketball game and appearance around the state and country,” said Keith Jackson, dean of the College of Creative Arts. “One of the most recognizable icons of our land-grant institution, The Pride has long deserved a dedicated rehearsal space and we are excited to bring this project to life.”

Currently the band practices in a parking lot of the WVU Coliseum. The new facility will be on the Evansdale Campus replacing Hawley Field.

The proposed design includes a football-field-sized turf field, a pavilion to protect users from the elements, lighting and sound systems, and climate-controlled storage for instruments and uniforms.

“A new facility will enhance the Pride of West Virginia in a number of ways,” said Scott Tobias, director of Bands. “A turf field will allow the band members to rehearse on the same surface on which they perform in Milan Puskar Stadium, while lights and a pavilion will help us avoid the loss of rehearsal time due to weather and early sunsets late in the fall. Climate-controlled storage will greatly extend the life of our instruments and uniforms.”

When not in use by the band, the facility will be available to WVU Athletics and the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences.