Campus News

UGA’s Redcoat Band launches public phase of campaign for new practice complex

UGA's Redcoat Band launches public phase of campaign for new practice complex

Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band announces the public phase of its $2.5 million fundraising campaign to help finance the new Redcoat Practice Complex, a multi-part facility already in construction at the intramural fields off College Station Road.

Dubbed “100 Yards for 100 Years,” the campaign, which began with a quiet phase in 2005, supplements funds from the university. The finished complex will include a football field of artificial turf, lighting, spectator stands, storage space to house instruments and an instructional tower.

The first phase of construction was made possible by UGA President Michael F. Adams, who designated the space and identified funding for natural turf and perimeter lighting for the complex. Current plans call for the initial construction phase of the practice field, which includes a natural turf surface and perimeter lighting, to be completed in January.

“The Redcoat Band is pleased and excited that the university has seen fit to dedicate a portion of campus to create the first full-service facility for the students in this organization,” said Michael Robinson, director of Athletic Bands at UGA. “We look forward to the new opportunities the complex presents to the Redcoats and to the university.”

The initial phase of fundraising, with a goal of $1.5 million, will provide funding to build the instructional tower and storage area and install spectator stands. The Redcoat Band Alumni Association is aiming for completion of the facility in August 2009, just in time for summer band camp.

Those interested in supporting the project can donate directly to the UGA Arch Foundation or visit the Redcoat Band Alumni Web site (www.redcoatalumniband.com) for information on contribution and naming opportunities within the facility.

The band plans to raise an additional $1 million in the second phase of fundraising to install a more stable artificial turf surface and drainage system.

The campaign’s title, “100 Yards for 100 Years,” is drawn from the history of the Redcoats, which began in 1905 as part of the university’s military department and has developed into the largest student organization on campus with more than 400 members-including dancers, majorettes, a flag corps and instrumentalists.

The practice complex will be housed on what is now field No. 9, near the tennis courts and the Oconee Forest trails within the intramural fields. When not in use by the Redcoats, the field will be made available to the department of recreational sports for intramural activities.