Reno Mayor Bob Cashell (photo: Steve Shadley)
The beat will go on for the University of Nevada, Reno's marching band.
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It was supposed to be disbanded next year because of budget cuts. But the band was saved by a community fund drive spearheaded by Reno Mayor Bob Cashell. The $117,000 raised will keep the band alive through next June.
Now, Cashell says he'd like to see the formation of a band alumni association to help raise funds to set up an endowment.
“I just feel it’s an integral part of the university system so I would hate to see them lose it. The big job now is to get the alumni band group going. They’ve done it at Stanford and they’ve done it at other schools so I don’t know why Nevada can’t do it.”
This year, the athletic department is also imposing a five-dollar surcharge on season football and basketball tickets to give the band a steady revenue stream.
Officials say it will provide about $50,000 a year and will keep the band marching.