After a day of uncertainty, university officials confirmed that all the members of the ISU Cyclone Football Varsity Marching Band will be performing at the Insight.com Bowl.Members of the band said they were concerned about whether all members of the band would be able to travel to Phoenix to perform.Marching Band Director Martin Province told the band at Monday’s rehearsal that the university was looking into different modes of transportation for the band, and it was possible not all of the 265 members would be able to go.The transportation plans were finalized Tuesday, said John McCarroll, university relations director. He said Interim President Richard Seagrave and Vice President for External Affairs Murray Blackwelder arranged for the entire marching band to fly from Des Moines via charter aircraft Dec. 27 and will return to Ames Dec. 29.Options of busing the entire band or taking a portion of the band by bus or by plane also were considered, Province said. The date and time restrictions led to the final decision.”Everything was a little out of balance,” Province said. He said if the students traveled by bus, they would spend 60 hours on the road and less than 24 hours in Phoenix. Also, this would cut into time spent with family over Christmas, he said.”The powers that be just decided that that wasn’t an option,” he said. “I, for one, appreciate that, and I know the students do, too.”The initial concern was making necessary transportation arrangements within a reasonable budget, McCarroll said, but taking the band has always been part of the plan.”They’re an important part of the football atmosphere,” he said.McCarroll said money for the band’s travel came from Insight.com Bowl allocations, which covers the school’s expenses.Province said he understands the initial deliberation.

“Our band is large, and it’s expensive to move us — there’s no doubt about that,” he said.Band member Kristin Johannsen said that immediately following Province’s initial announcement the band members began a huge “e-mailing campaign.””I think it’s really cool that people got so excited about it and got the word out so quickly,” said Johannsen, junior in materials engineering. “I think people are pretty happy with it.”Now that the band has the go-ahead, members are polishing their five-and-a-half minute “Blood, Sweat and Tears” show, which they performed earlier this season at Homecoming.”I think when it’s polished, it’s going to represent Iowa State real well,” Province said.Province said students may practice during Finals Week and on a Saturday afternoon to prepare for the bowl game.”We don’t want to do a half-assed job,” band member Heather McLemore said. “When we go, we want to be the Iowa State band and be the best that we can be.”McLemore, junior in microbiology, said going to the Insight.com Bowl will be a great opportunity for the band.”We’re a family,” she said. “We’ve put so much time and energy into this band and making it the best it can be. We’ve supported the Cyclones through thick and thin and in all sorts of weather.”Cyclone quarterback Sage Rosenfels said the band’s efforts do not go unnoticed.”I think when they’re there, we recognize it because they get our fans into the game,” said Rosenfels, senior in marketing. “They definitely help us out, especially when the defense is on the field.”Province said he appreciates the efforts of everyone who has helped the band with travel arrangements.”I’m really ecstatic that everyone has found a way to make this work out,” he said. “Our students have worked so hard, and it’s nice that it has been recognized by the university administration.”