Football is the traditional UF moneymaker, but it's the marching band that recently earned $5,000 filming a spot for ESPN.
The money was the result of a contest to promote the DVD release of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."
ESPN and Paramount Pictures designed the contest, called "The Battle of the Bands and the Quest for the Crystal," which included six other marching band performances from across the country and a chance at an extra $25,000.
The contest is built on a comparison between the crystal national championship trophy and the crystal skull, said Joe Knaus, manager of co-marketing at ESPN, in a phone interview.
Knaus said the band's performances of "Raiders March," the movie's theme, will be posted on ESPN's Web site.
Fans can vote daily from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10 for the performance they want to win.
The bands competing come from UF, Louisiana State University, Auburn University, Clemson University, The University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California and the University of Georgia, all considered to be contenders for the 2009 BCS National Championship Game trophy.
"It's a great honor, certainly, to be considered with the other schools because they all have great bands," said John M. Watkins Jr., director of the "Pride of the Sunshine" Fightin' Gator Marching Band.
UF's marching band will not know if its preparation and participation paid off until the winner is announced on Oct. 11.
