Last October, Rusty Wallace car dealerships donated $30,000 to Austin-East Magnet High School's marching band for new uniforms. One year later, the band has plans to reveal its much anticipated new attire at the Oct. 4 homecoming game.
The funds purchased 50 new marching band uniforms and 75 raincoats for the Austin-East Marching Roadrunners. The school had not purchased new band uniforms since around the early 2000s.
“Some of my coaching staff that are with me now wore these same uniforms when they were in high school," said Alyx Blumenstock, the school’s director of bands.
“Seeing their reaction let me know that the community is really gonna take this with open arms and hopefully see what giving to our schools and our individual programs can really do."
Learning the good news
Senior Al’Isha Roach, one of the 40 members of the Marching Roadrunners, has been in the marching band since the eighth grade, and she plays the flute.
Throughout her time in the band, Roach has been hopeful that news like this might be on the way, ideally before she graduated. “For the past few years, we had these old uniforms, so I was just hoping and praying we would get new uniforms before I left," she said.
When Roach heard the news, she was "very emotional," she said. It made her efforts - and the entire band's - feel worth it, she added.
“Students erupted with joy, yelling, clapping, hugging each other and celebrating together. It was a moment this band family will never forget," Blumenstock told Knox News after receiving the donation in 2023.
Looking back, Blumenstock said for Ray Huffaker, who presented the check on behalf of Rusty Wallace dealerships, to see the worth in her kids meant most of all. Huffaker was inspired to do something for the band after seeing them perform at a football game in 2023.
There's also going to be a renewed sense of pride when the Roadrunners take the field at homecoming. “I feel like our confidence levels are gonna be boosted up," Roach said. “It’s gonna give me a different type of feeling … it’s gonna make me feel really good to step out in something that’s newer and cleaner.”
Along with learning they'd be receiving new uniforms, band members also found out from Huffaker that they'd be taken out to dinner as well.
In December 2023, Huffaker delivered on his promises, inviting band members, staff and staff members' significant others to Ye Olde Steak House . He took care of everyone, Blumenstock said, and each band member could choose an appetizer, entrée and dessert.
“It was an amazing experience," Roach said. “For us to be there with him and his whole staff … it showed me how much our hard work really paid off."
'It's really helping us keep pushing'
Anticipation for the big reveal is building as homecoming approaches. “I feel like everyone in the community is gonna be shocked to see us pop out in something new," Roach said.
“Everyone’s gonna be like ‘Wow,'" she added. “Everyone’s gonna be really happy to see we got to improve our band.”
Roach's gratitude is equal to her excitement. She said she'd like to tell Huffaker and the Rusty Wallace team "thank you for all the love and support ... it’s really helping us keep pushing."
Blumenstock shared that this year's show theme for the Roadrunners is based on the Kendrick Lamar song, "Not Like Us." She added that the band will be bringing back the party on the fifty-yard line.
The homecoming game will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at home against Grace Christian Academy.
Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com.
Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Austin-East band prepares to debut new uniforms at homecoming thanks to $30,000 donation
Local News
Comments / 0