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I agree with your points as well. I don't thing they should worry about their competitive outcome at all this summer. Let their staff do their jobs, pay the bills, get the corps down the road to August and it's "mission accomplished" in my book.

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The new BOD is doing an outstanding job. They were handed a bucket of doodoo to deal with and they’ve gone right to work to clean up the mess.

Yes, I would let my child march in the Cadets. There are many good people involved with this organization...and the problem has been removed! I'm excited to watch the Cadets thrive without Hopkins.

Just catching up on this whole Ford Theater incident. Can you believe that guy had the nerve to yell "Sic Semper Tyrannis?" I hope they are looking for him.

As I’ve followed this thread, I can’t help but wonder if this was another corps, would that corps be fielding a show this summer, and I’m not sure that would be the case. If you look at other groups outside of drum corps, this would be a death blow. My guess is that because the former director was such a huge presence and he’s now gone, is a huge factor, as well as alums and staff who love the corps and will do all they can to make it a reality. This is positive, but it is also rare. With this in mind, I’d like to offer a few thoughts: Some people are talking placement: let the corps get on the field, make finals, and not lose ground. If they place higher than last year, that’s wonderful, if they have one of their greatest shows ever, amazing, but let’s not put undue pressure on the marching members or staff. Unless you have been part of an organization that has faced similar charges, you have no idea of how much of an accomplishment simply keeping the corps alive will be. In an approximately two week frame, a long time director was fired, a board resigned, a interim was hired and had to step aside, a new board was formed, a new interim was named. The new folks will have to field the corps, clean up a mess that was many years in the making, create a way of moving forward, and match words with actions. They will need a lot of time to do their job. Don’t praise them too quickly, and refrain from criticizing unless there is a serious misstep. It takes most organizations years, not days, to change after such serious problems.

My love for the Cadets has nothing to do with one or a few people. This season, I will root for them just as I have in the past. My desire for high achievement and success on the field doesn't diminish the importance of establishing a safe environment within the corps and YEA. After all, this is a competition, and the Cadets will compete. We can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Apparently, some people lack the intellectual capacity and/or emotional maturity to do both.

allow me to be blunt aint no one with the cadets organization saying "all done move forward" not one ####### person

My 14-year old son is just now really getting in to DCI. We were discussing various recent shows, so I quickly pulled up the '76 Blue Devils to get is reaction. His face when he saw the marching tympani was priceless. Pretty much the real-world version of . Mike

Chris, Please read forward in time...a lot of what you are quoting was from the original BOD, which resigned. The new BOD did not accept the resignation of GH...they fired him for cause. There are a lot of articles and subsequent discussion that cover most of what you posted.

you mean walk across the street.

And why someone would chastise another person's choice of where they choose to march without knowing that person or having any first-hand experience of what marching with that corps is truly like is beyond me. To each their own, I guess. All I know is that nearly every single one of the Cadets alums who I know (and there are quite many) are stand-up people with tremendous work ethic and strength of character and have their Cadets experience mainly to thank for helping them get to where they are today. And I realize that people are free to like or dislike whatever corps they want for their own reasons, that comes with the territory. But I would also like to think that underneath all that, there is a fundamental respect for anyone who chooses to march in drum corps, period. No matter where they choose to march. Sadly, I find that fundamental respect lacking in what you've said here.

That is very true. However, the members and staff will be fighting for every tenth all season long to do the very best that they can. I think that is part of what being a Cadet (or Scout...or Vanguard or Mandarin or Crusader or.....) is all about. The people who choose to participate in drum corps do so because they have a high degree of passion and love for what they do. You see many Cadet alums sign their posts with FHNSAB...we know that we are all part and parcel of a long line of Cadets going back to 1934. It isn't bad thing, as Cowtown tries to paint it, but it is a way to make sure that no matter who you are or when you marched, we are one with all other members through our long history.

YEA doesn't own a white Ford Bronco do they ?

I have personally helped a non-profit recover from an Executive Director's malfeasance. What you say is true - if they survive, organizations can emerge from a crisis like this stronger in every respect. GH managed to burn an absolutely epic number of bridges during his long tenure, and you have to imagine at least some of those people will now want to support the org again. If that's harnessed, a few years from now YEA could find itself with a clear strategy, better leadership, good management, stronger programs, healthier financials. But first it has to survive. I find it hard to imagine that GH combined the personal behavior that's been reported with, say, amazing fiscal rectitude or great record keeping or best practice IT policies . So I imagine the new board has quite a few other messes to clean up beyond what has been publicly discussed. Even with the best of people and the best of intentions, it's going to be years before YEA has this fully behind them.

Well you're going to be disappointed then.... On the other hand, the hornline plays more than I've ever heard them play and they sound awesome doing it, so there's that...

So it's a useful object lesson for you to be posting as you have (in two threads): before commenting on an explosive subject, we should try to make ourselves fully informed. For instance, are you aware that DCI has put Cadets on probation?

First of all, EVERYONE is not putting the success of the Cadets above all else. Secondly, you don't sound like you know ANYTHING about the Cadet culture. "Extreme aggressive loyalty and attacking others to defend itself" is NOT it. Thirdly, why can we not focus on BOTH the safety AND the success of the corps at the same time?

long dead, especially with the head architect in hiding

It's been 2 weeks and the new board has acted quickly and admirably. The things you want to happen are happening. The board is focusing on addressing and preventing these things from happening again, the drum corps is focusing on being a drum corps. Nobody is sweeping anything under the rug, the investigation is ongoing, but there is no evidence at all that there are sexual predators still involved with YEA. In the meantime they are also working to continue fulfilling their purpose as an organization. Just because they are focusing on having a successful drum corps season doesn't mean they aren't also focusing on addressing the organizational failings under the previous regime.

The new YEA organization is far from sweeping things under the rug. Please read through the postings and some of the press reports. I see zero evidence of that. Don't forget, there are kids who ARE getting ready to compete this summer in the Cadets and C2. They are also a focus for the day-to-day operations...while at no time ignoring the victims. At least one of the victims attended the last Cadet camp in support of the current corps.

Madison actually gave them a 2.3 point whooping on 6/28 - 78.1 to 75.8. I remember that because it was so shocking. Star was the clear leader at that time, so a 2.3 point loss was huge. I always wondered what happened that night. I gather nothing out of the ordinary since the next night Star won 79.3 to 79.2. So for a moment in time Madison was arguably the best corps in 1991, or one of them. Madison also beat everyone that year, at least once. One of the few times that's happened. The only other loss Star sustained in 1991 was a 0.6 loss to the Cavaliers on 6/27. So two losses in a row, then nothing but wins. I didn't appreciate that show during the 1991. I appreciated 1990 Star from the first viewing, but not 1991 (or 1993). It wasn't until like 15 years later when I pulled out the CD and was completely awestruck by 1991 Star. 1993 would come a year later. Huge Star homer. Miss them every year. They were utterly amazing. I consider 1991 and 1993 to be two of the absolutely greatest shows ever. That 1992 hornline, I consider the best ever.

Forgive me but I don’t care how he feels. He put himself in this predicament.

well decent normal people do

Your point is well taken. I was on the first flight out of San Diego on the 14th traveling to Atlanta. I remember three things: The captain went down the aisle and eyeballed every single passenger on the plane before we pushed back from the gate. When they passed out the plastic silverware for the meal all the knives had been removed. As a group we were ready, willing, and eager to defend the plane if anyone tried anything. The Cadets will be just fine and, dare I say, should be able to grow out of mess that was GH quite nicely.

With regard to the vehicle and the laptop and whatever other physical property he may still have, I would imagine he could argue that since he hadn't been fired until yesterday, he didn't not see an issue there. I understand the publicity, the way it looks, the situation and everything else discussed... but, is that not par for the course for him? Has he not, for a period of time, shown that he does not have that filter or care to even acknowledge that that filter exists, let alone care what others think? He's a yam bag. Nothing that may come out in the future will surprise me. Karma, Earl

Related, Dan Achesons nephew: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/04/11/chaos-mason-band-leader-investigated-sexual-harassment-inappropriate-touching/481875002/

Yes, I agree. Only Cadet alums should use it. To be fair...I think the motives of some non-alums who use it are good, even if it is not something they should be doing.

I'm reminded of my final season in high school in the '80s. I was the returning drum major looking forward to a great senior year, but in June as my Junior year ended, our band director handed in her notice. With no band director and the school district having a long process to find a replacement, and the outgoing director not having made any plans for the upcoming season before leaving, everyone thought the marching program was gonna have to take the year off. And in those days, the director was the entire staff, only having the drum major(s) to help - no assistants, techs, volunteers, etc., like today. We didn't even have an organized booster program for parents. In late June I chose music for the show from our library and got the sections rehearsing. In July I went to another year at George Parks' camp, starting to design drill during the evenings. In August we upperclassmen brought in our freshman to teach them how to march, and then the returning marchers came in for the start of our regular camp. Two days into camp, we finally got a new director (who even had a wife with DCI color guard experience to work with our guard). We ended up having a fine year. I don't remember how we did in competition that season, any more than I remember how we did the prior three years. Moments like these can be opportunities.

Indeed... but I believe they are, to use medical terminology, no longer in the ICU or life support. They are in critical, but stable, condition. Which is a LONG way from where the were 10 days ago when they were given the last rights.

My personal opinion, based on the early returns from the actions of the new board, is the organization will emerge stronger than before. I think they are intent on being leaders and innovators in a new way... protecting the staff, members and students who participate across their programs. They will institute was of reporting, managing, and supporting the victims of abuse which will very likely be models for across the activity. It will be expensive but the new board appears committed to investing in world class policies, strategies and programs working with world class organizations and independent agencies to provide the proper guidance (Like their emerging partnership with RAIIN). Sure there will be good days and bad days. And we collectively have no idea how vast these issues go for YEA (let alone the broader community). I am encouraged to see how much effort is being focused on the problem and supporting the victims WHILE ALSO working to stabilize the programs (Cadets, Cadets 2, USBANDs and Escape). With new directors for each soon to be announced and Cadets and Cadets2 coming together for a combined camp I suspect next weekend will be the true barometer for how the competitive groups will proceed.

I'm not sure that's true. People don't want to believe that someone they trusted could be capable of such bad acts. That's not culture, that's human nature and it's a good thing. Also, read back over last year's 1000+ pages of frenzy (if you are an insomniac) up until December. What you will see is a huge amount of criticism of (i) the alumni loyal to GH for backing him while he "ruined" the corps, (ii) the board for allowing GH to post lousy results without consequences, and (iii) some criticism of GH's mercurial style. You will not find ONE mention of sexual assault. All of those people on all sides of the issue can't be part of the culture. They were in the dark. Even the alumni, who were there when all this was going on, were in the dark. I know some of the MM's. They paid their fees, they are planning to compete, and heck yes they should be worried about placement. We should be behind them. They didn't ask to be put in this situation, and to tell them not to march their butts off and try to win or to not support them in their efforts because you are upset at what GH is accused of doing that started before any of the were born would be a shame.

Just polluting our precious bodily fluids. But that's not important right now.

Made me think...I wonder if they could trace his whereabouts from his company cell phone. Of course, maybe the people from YEA who need to know where he is actually do know where he is, and it is just DCP speculating on this stuff.

Hmm, I suspect another round of Mars/My Way-type mash-ups. This would be.... unfortunate.

FINALLY!!! AN ANOUNCEMENT!!! WOOOOOOOO!

That's a lot of composers. Generally I find that the more music in a show, the less justice a corps does to any given piece. I hope Cavs avoid that trap.

Well, maybe you could do a bit more research on that to self educate yourself on this. That might help bring more clarity on this for you. Frankly, a fresh comparison with the statements/ actions between the 2 YEA Boards can be a learning experience itself on what to do and say, vs. what not to do and say.

Fair enough. I just read the old Board resigned.

That was an unfortunate statement by the now ex-Board of Directors, and was tone deaf and astoundingly inept. The more recent communication by the new BOD, in conjunction with a hired PR firm, is much better. I do not think that anyone here thinks that their pain matches the pain of the victims. It cannot. However, there can be many stages of grief over many aspects of this - each victim, the sheer number of victims, and then how it affects the organization as a whole, the marching members, then the community at large. It's normal and it's natural. And I think in a very vast majority, those who have posted here are aware of this.

Ok, I just checked in to DCA forms after being a way from posting for a while, and just got the news about Hopkins and the Cadets (I'm a little slow on the uptake). Assuming the stories are true and the victims are telling the truth, then I'm disgusted at some of the posts and statements I see from members. I'm also disheartened and appalled at YEA's response statement. Why? I am reading all sorts of posts about how this is such a "sad time for the Cadets," oh what a "painful moment" for all those who care about the Cadets and YEA...."Cadet fans are going through such a tough time." Woah is me. Pity pity. What about the painful moments these victims went through? What about the sad time for these young women? What kind of "tough time" do you think they've endured? We actually think that as fans of the Cadets our pain as outsiders looking in matches the level of pain of the victims of sexual assault?! Baloney.

it was back during Drum Corps Midwest right? so there ya go...they were Roman Blenski'd I feel the same as you about Star. Best part of my drum corps experience EVER 92 horn line was god like 93 show was 2 decades ahead of time 91 should have been unbeaten

Sometimes drum corps is an activity that requires true patience - at least for me. ....I can't wait for all the show/uniform announcements! EEK!

I have an idea...he should leave the vehicle on the street and mail the keys and then say in a note ...LQQK outside...LOL

This may only be the beginning! I hope there is no more accusations in this activity BUT I believe it's been going on and, unfortunately, the climate in our country is such that more people will stand up and tell their story. If so it could be the downfall of drum corps. I hope that this was the only blemish and we can move on and let the law deal with GH. Pray that there are no more!

For the record- I knew I would never have fit in with them back when I could have marched Cadets. And that's not a slam on the corps, just knowing even then I wasn't the kind of person that fit there. I had friends in college that did and it was cool, I respected them greatly, good people. Westshore was a lot more of a bunch of crazy, talented anarchists in comparison... and I fit well with the zen there. The more I knew about certain things there as time went on... friends at work would ask me that had kids that were thinking about it. I told them there were better options and choices, 98% because of the person in charge, 1% because I felt they could get a start in the activity for a lot less money as well, 1% because I thought there were too many head games being played there. Now that the main problem is gone- yeah, I would send my kid there if I had one. Maybe in large part because of something that happened between Dad and I BITD. If I was going to a DCI unit, I wanted to go to BD. I was clear about it. Westshore had some ties with BD. It wasn't as crazy hard to pull off back then. Dad loves PR. He told me a few years ago, if I had wanted to go to Phantom.... we might have been able to find the money. So, just because I might not fit in a place myself and a kid of mine might... I think after what happened with me, I wouldn't stop them.

I completely agree that this will likely be a very closely monitored corps and possibly one of the safest for awhile. Having a currently eligible marching member and knowing some who are currently in the Cadets, I can tell you they are commonly called to a corps for reasons much bigger than one person. It's about their own personal mission and how that corps fits in to that mission. It's about a feeling, a dream, a goal, an experience, etc. Some are Cadets because that is what they've always wanted to be - call it their dream corps. Those I've spoken with haven't changed their dream corps, even with all this going on. Quite the opposite actually. They are terrified they may have to walk away and want nothing more than to have a successful season. On the flip side, others are simply not drawn to particular corps, for whatever reason. My particular member had no interest in being a Cadet - it just didn't call to him. He tried a couple different corps and was blessed to be able to choose the one he felt best fit him. It's such a personal experience and I truly hope the current members can continue to push forward and rebuild the true meaning of being a Cadet!

We will mark you down as a definite “maybe” lol

Ohio State was punished far more by both the NCAA and the B1G for tattoos for trinkets. Look it up. PSU had their scholarships restored while Ohio State scholarships were still under suspension. Now they have a full time tattoo person and put them in the Woody Hayes [Athletic Center]. Either way both schools recovered just fine, hopefully so will Cadets. https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2011-12-21/chronology-ohio-state-scandal https://www.newsday.com/sports/college/college-football/ohio-state-gets-bowl-ban-loss-of-scholarships-1.3401982