Ute fans rallying to get band to D.C.

University of Utah alumnus Sherm Smith, now a resident of Virginia, rounded up some friends in his area to potentially board the Marching Utes during their stay for the presidential inauguration.

Now, if only they can charter a flight.

"I have this really good feeling it's going to happen," said U. School of Music Director Robert Walzel. He said since the announcement of the invitation to perform in Washington, D.C., calls have been coming in, offering various types of support for the band.

U. President Michael Young, during an interview, challenged television viewers, including students and Ute fans alike, to come up with either $13 or $130, representing the Ute football team's undefeated 13-0 season.

In addition to Smith's outreach, other efforts have been made, leaving few stones unturned, to get the crew — along with their uniforms, instruments and other equipment — to Washington for the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.

The group received an invitation to represent the state in the parade marking President-elect Barack Obama's first day on the job. U. students played a big part in campaigning for the new president, and therefore earned the recommendation from Utah's Democratic Party to participate in the festivities.

The cost is about $1,100 per student to get each of the 128 members of the Marching Utes there, and Smith's offer to arrange housing eliminates nearly $15,000 in expenses. Students haven't been asked to foot any of the bill. Walzel says "they contribute so much of their time to be in the band."

Smith said his home is just 45 minutes from Washington and offers convenient access to Dulles International Airport. The group originally was slated to stay in Richmond, nearly two hours from the parade route.

Transportation is another matter. With an estimated 10,000 buses expected to converge on Washington that week, Smith — who Walzel said had become an "honorary band member today" — said he had put in some calls to find available buses to transport the band.

"I'm just excited to get them out here," he said. He originally heard about the Utes' presidential invitation during his routine morning reading of the Deseret News.

Utah's Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. also has been making some effort to get the Utes to Washington. "We are providing options to them for several donors," said Lisa Roskelley, the governor's spokeswoman. She said the governor believes the experience "would be a great opportunity for the band, the university and for the state."

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com