I'm pretty sure that was a Memphis trip, and it was a medical episode for the driver.I'm pretty sure a driver for the band DIED on a bowl trip a few years ago.
Flying - It's _expensive_ to fly nearly 400 people....anywhere. I'm guessing the travel money comes specifically out of the band fund, maybe a bit of help from the university/athletic dept. At the band alumni* luncheon at HC, they said only 100 members were going to Ireland with 5 staff (IIRC). And consider the extra funding/money needed to fly the drums & sousas & other instruments overseas.
* - Not an alumnus, but married to one and have experienced twice going to bowl game music festivals in HS with 200-250 people on the trip.