The New Mexico State University Foundation will underwrite travel expenses for the PRIDE of New Mexico Marching Band, Cheerleading Squad and Sundancers to attend the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, Michigan, Dec. 26. The Aggies will face the Bowling Green Falcons in the team’s fifth bowl game appearance, and in head coach Jerry Kill’s first season.
More than 140 students will benefit from the support, enabling NMSU musicians, cheerleaders and dancers to travel with the football team to represent the Aggies after a remarkable season for coach Kill. The PRIDE of New Mexico is the award-winning marching band of NMSU, comprised of more than 200 musicians, as well as the Sundancer Dance Team. The NM State Cheerleading Squad cheers year-round for football games, men’s and women’s basketball games, volleyball games and community events.
“We are very excited to be able to take a significant portion of our band members, cheerleaders and Sundancers to the Quick Lane Bowl,” said Steven L. Smyth, associate director of Bands and Music Education coordinator at NMSU. “Their hard work and dedication pay off at times like these, and the sacrifices of the students and their families is humbling. We are thankful to be a part of Aggie game days and appreciate the support of the Foundation, alumni, Athletics and of course the Aggie Nation.”
The NMSU band, cheer and dance teams personify the professionalism, work ethic and pursuit of excellence that define NMSU.
“Each one of these Aggies has earned an incredible opportunity to compete in front of a national TV audience in prime time on ESPN,” said Mario Moccia, director of Athletics at NMSU. “We are grateful that the NMSU Foundation has been so generous to assist the team, our band and spirit squads in putting their best foot forward on the national stage. Coach Kill is building a winning team in Las Cruces, and the NMSU Foundation is partnering with Athletics to best ensure our long-term success.”
For more than 60 years, the NMSU Foundation has been the university’s fundraising partner to secure, manage, oversee and protect a sustainable source of private resources by nurturing long-term relationships with alumni, supporters and the community.
“When New Mexico State University has the chance to be a part of a major bowl game experience, the Aggie family can be counted on to step forward in support of our students, athletes and musicians as they show the country why our university is so special,” said Derek Dictson, president of the NMSU Foundation. “We have watched these student-athletes and musicians work exceptionally hard to prepare for and earn this opportunity, and we are happy to be able to support them in a meaningful way.”
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Photos by Josh Bachman