event review

Boundless enthusiasm

More than 250 Husky faithful attended the Husky Marching Band Sneak Preview on Tuesday, August 15, kicking off the 2017 football season with style, while supporting the hardest working marching band in collegiate circles.

Beyond building excitement for the upcoming school year, this annual HMB event raises critical funds for uniforms, instruments, operating expenses and travel for our UW students. This year’s Sneak Preview surpassed expectations, raising more than $100,000 by night’s end through a combination of ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and a robust Raise-the-Paddle.

The Husky Marching Band provided the soundtrack for the evening, welcoming a number of special guests to Club Husky including Dubs, Harry and the Cheer Squad. Joining the fun were band alum and KJR radio’s Dick Fain, ’96, as emcee and beloved actor and UW alum Richard Karn, ’79, as celebrity emcee. In addition, guests were treated to some inspiring insights from UW football head coach Chris Petersen, UW volleyball head coach Keegan Cook and new UW women’s basketball head coach Jody Wynn.

This year marked the 14th anniversary of the event, which has grown incrementally since it began in 2003. What hasn’t changed? The spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that makes it all possible — from the volunteer Husky Band Foundation Board that spearheads the efforts, to the Athletics Band staff that brings it together, to the UW Alumni Association, which lends its hand for recruitment and promotion.

As Director of Athletic Bands Brad McDavid put it, “HMB Sneak Preview was so special in so many ways and it goes far beyond the incredible funds that were raised. Many of our volunteers have donated their time and energy to the board for a good many years — some of them driving incredible distances to serve our wonderful students! The power of their leadership and passion for this band is something that I can never ever thank them for enough.”