Spring 1999, Page 2

Miami Trip

After Hurricane Georges caused the postponement of the original date set for the UCLA vs. Miami game on September 25, 1998, anticipation for the rescheduled game on December 6th created a great deal of excitement throughout the football season. Winning ten games in a row (including the eighth straight over hapless usc) only added to the drama, as the possibility of a national championship seemed to become more and more real. And for almost the entire game at Miami, the dream stayed alive, until the heartbreaking conclusion of the game.

But the Band had a great trip!! We left on Thursday night on a red-eye flight that got us into Miami at 7:00am Friday, with the rest of the day free to explore Miami's famous South Beach area. The Band stayed at the Beach Paradise Hotel, one of many Art Deco buildings the area is known for.

On Saturday morning, the Band played at a rally for the Chancellor and the numerous UCLA fans who live in the Miami area or who traveled to the game, and the Band also appeared on ESPN's College Game Day TV show. Following the game,

there was more time to take in the sights (rumor has it that one of our band members was seen on stage at Deja Vu, the club owned by Madonna!).

When we tried to leave on Sunday afternoon, we discovered that our flight was severely overbooked. Twelve of our band members enthusiastically volunteered to stay an extra night to receive a $400 travel voucher!

Overall, it was a great experience for the Band. Despite the disappointment of missing a chance to go to the National Championship game at the Fiesta Bowl, the Rose Bowl wasn't too bad as a consolation prize.

Thanks to your support, we are now making plans for the next trip - UCLA vs. Ohio State on September 11, 1999. We are hoping to send 40 to 50 band members to this game.

Plans for future trips include Washington in 2000, and Alabama in 2001. In the more distant future, we are looking at the Notre Dame game in 2006!

Kevin Hamilton, Tori Taylor, Eric Hanson. Ray Bernal and Andrew Yonce in front of the Beach Paradise Hotel in South Beach, Miami.

The Solid Gold Sound, dressed for the Miami heat and hurmidity, performing at the Orange Bowl for the UCLA vs. Miami Game.