When you ask Roy Grube, class of 1957, about playing trumpet for the Penn State Blue Band, he speaks of the time he played for President Eisenhower's birthday in Hershey.

"There were five bands total, but we were the only collegiate band," Grube said. "Everyone is coming out at 120 steps per minute, and then we race out at 180 steps per minute and the crowd goes in an uproar."

On Friday, Grube reunited with his former band members for the groundbreaking of a new facility to house the Blue Band.

The event brought out more than 100 people, mostly alumni and their families, to the building's future site on the Blue Band field at University Drive and Services Road.

People reminisced while eating "Blue Band Swirl" ice cream -- also known as Huckleberry Parfait -- renamed for the occasion.

Penn State President Graham Spanier said the time was long overdue for one of Penn State's most enduring traditions to have a permanent home on campus.

Richard Durst, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, who is helping with the campaign, said two years ago he made the announcement that the university would build the new facility and has since been working to raise funds. Durst said there are 1,700 donors and $3.4 million of the $5 million needed has been raised so far.

Athletic Director Tim Curley said the wait for the new facility is finally over.

"They have not had a permanent home to meet, learn, explore, rehearse, keep warm and dry, store equipment, and use something other than a port-a-potty when Mother Nature comes calling," Curley said.

Adam Berndt (junior-music education) said playing the sousaphone for the Blue Band has taught him about commitment and responsibility and thinks the new facility is a needed addition. Berndt said he should be able to play in the new facility before he graduates in "one or two years."

"It's hard with the conditions that we have," Berndt said. "It will make everything run that much smoother and save a lot of time."

He said the Blue Band loses Tuesday evening rehearsal space to intramural sports, and the new facility will hopefully bring the band a little more respect.

The new building will feature a practice area, offices, storage space for instruments and uniforms, as well as displays for the historic memorabilia.

Spanier said it is impossible to measure the importance of an organization that has brought millions of spectators to their feet for more than a century.

"What other drum major could decide the outcome of a critical game by landing a flip -- no pressure there," he said.

Richard Bundy, director of the Blue Band, said the group traces their history to 1899 with a six-member drum and bugle corps. Grube said there were 96 members in 1953; the Blue Band now has 281 students.

Grube said the band has developed since his membership, and he is glad to come back each year to play in the Alumni Blue Band.

"The musicianship has always been really good but now they are more intricate in their maneuvers," Grube said. "So drill-wise, it is a bit harder now."