MU and KU marching bands square off for fundraising

20 universities across the nation participated in the campaign.

By Jimmy Hibsch

Published Nov. 30, 2010

The marching bands of two of college football’s biggest rivals, MU and the University of Kansas, banded together by facing off Nov. 28 for a competition benefitting the Marching for Hope fundraiser for the ALS Association.

Throughout November, Marching Mizzou has been raising funds and awareness for the organization, which works to combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

“I was contacted late this summer about the possibility of us getting involved in the nation-wide program,” Marching Mizzou Director Brad Snow said. “The program was explained to me, and the chance to tie it in with a rivalry seemed like a good vehicle for us to not only raise more money but also help raise awareness about ALS.”

Both marching bands’ efforts were a part of the national "Marching for Hope" campaign. Now in its second year, the number of universities participating increased from two to 20. This is MU’s first year involved.

“The band was a little apprehensive at first, but the more they learned about ALS and what it does, they jumped on board,” Snow said.

Cheryl DeLeonardis, the mind behind Marching for Hope, said she created the fundraiser while taking into account the inability of many Americans to donate large sums of money.

“We were getting into an era where you just can’t ask people for money anymore, because nobody has any,” DeLeonardis said. “I was trying to create a program where you ask a lot of people for a little money, and I thought of college marching bands because of how many people are in the band.”

After determining the fundraiser’s approach, she had to find an organization to benefit. She chose the ALS Association because of the lack of knowledge behind the deadly disease.

“ALS just needs it,” DeLeonardis said. “If you are diagnosed with ALS, it’s basically a death sentence. There’s still no cure after all of these years. My goal is to bring them on the forefront. If we really build this into a national program, people will stop asking what ALS is. Even still when I mention ALS to people, I get a kind of deer-in-the-headlights look.”

Because ALS directly affects breathing, Snow said his band members were able to relate.

“ALS seems to be a disease that band members are able to easily relate to,” Snow said. “The disease involves the gradual loss of muscle control, so much to where victims die from not being able to breath any longer. So, this disease has really hit home with the band members that rely so heavily on muscles and the ability to breath.”

DeLeonardis credits Snow with igniting the fire behind Marching Mizzou’s campaign.

“The magic in all of this is really the band directors,” DeLeonardis said. “The band director gets behind it, and it makes all the difference in the world. Brad is great. He’s really energized his band.”

Marching Mizzou members said they were happy to help a foundation so much in need.

“I didn’t know anything about ALS until the ALS corporation had come and talked to us about it,” Golden Girls member Elize Schlueter said. “After hearing about it, I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is such a devastating disease. It would be awesome to be able to raise money for it.’”

To meet Marching Mizzou’s goal of $30,000, each of the nearly 300 band members pledged to raise $200. Through e-mail, Facebook and other methods, benefactors said collecting donations was simple.

“It really is the easiest thing to do,” Schlueter said.

The event’s campaign culminated at Saturday’s game against KU. Separate from the football game, both universities’ bands were competing to see who could collect more donations. Marching Mizzou prevailed, raising a total of $12,510 -- raising just $30.45 more than KU.

All competition aside, DeLeonardis said she is extremely pleased with the campaign.