{"id":59923,"date":"2025-10-21T14:01:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=59923"},"modified":"2025-10-21T15:54:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T19:54:18","slug":"thats-a-wrap-emus-custom-charter-bus-hits-the-road-in-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2025\/thats-a-wrap-emus-custom-charter-bus-hits-the-road-in-style\/","title":{"rendered":"That\u2019s a wrap! EMU\u2019s custom charter bus hits the road in style"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With plenty of panache and pyrotechnics, EMU revealed its brand-new, fully wrapped charter bus at a ceremony on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, held at the north end of the parking lot beside University Commons, drew students, athletes, faculty, staff, members of the press, and officials from Varsity Travel. It included remarks from Buck Smith<\/strong>, associate athletics director of operations; Adam Posey<\/strong>, head baseball coach; Sophia Armato<\/strong>, senior field hockey player; and Carrie S Bert<\/strong>, director of athletics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After their remarks and a brief countdown, the plain white bus that had been blocking the crowd\u2019s view pulled forward to reveal the new EMU athletics bus. As attendees got their first look at the bus\u2019s bold new design, six pyrotechnic machines fired fountains of sparks into the air, cannons launched a flurry of blue and silver streamers overhead, and a snippet of Rascal Flatts\u2019 \u201cLife is a Highway\u201d played through the speakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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EMU’s new fully wrapped bus will <\/strong>primarily<\/strong> be used to transport athletes and teams to and from events.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The bus wrap proudly proclaims \u201cEMU ROYALS\u201d and \u201cHARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA\u201d lettering next to an image of the Royals\u2019 lion mascot, which spans the full height of the bus from its tires to its roof. The design is set in front of a silhouette of Massanutten Mountain in varying shades of blue. The bus will serve as a moving billboard for EMU, promoting the values of the university wherever it goes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis bus is going to draw attention. It already did on our road trip to North Carolina this weekend,\u201d said Armato, referencing her team\u2019s recent travels to Meredith College in Raleigh. \u201cIt will create conversations and carry a Royal spirit wherever it goes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEMU has a history of doing amazing, awesome work, of putting out tremendous people, graduates, staff, faculty, very quietly,\u201d Bert said. \u201cWell, guess what? It\u2019s time for EMU to make a statement, to be recognized and remembered. As our teams travel, we won\u2019t just arrive at our destinations, we will make an entrance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bus is fully owned and operated by Winchester-based Varsity Travel<\/a>, and the new wrap is a generous perk of the university\u2019s partnership with the charter service. According to its website, Varsity Travel also provides transportation for Shenandoah University Athletics, Hood College, and Hagerstown Community College Athletics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Streamers fill the air above the crowd during a ceremony unveiling the new EMU athletics bus on Monday.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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EMU alumna and staff member Hannah Beck<\/strong>, senior admissions counselor, said the new bus will also be used to bring groups of local high school students to visit the campus. \u201cI\u2019m really excited for this,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s great to get more name recognition out there.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View the moment the bus was revealed in our video below:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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