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The situation with SCV was a lot different. If I read correctly, their issues had to do with the state compliance, including their BINGO operation. The Cadets are dealing with both financial and legal issues. If the stories about The Cadets liquidating assets are true, they are in a dire financial situation. Living in North Jersey, I know a number of Cadets alumni. They all say the same thing about the Cadets selling off pretty much everything. From the Board Chair's October 16,2023 "Message" I anticipated some type of "follow up". But, to date, nothing. I would think if The Cadets planned on coming back, they'd be doing some type fund raising, including for the Maroon and Gold Club. I've been a member of the Maroon and Gold Club going back to the early 80's but haven't heard a word from the organization. The on going litigation just makes things worse. The "Cadets Are Being Sued . . . " thread provides a pretty good analysis of the legal problems the organization faces. I would love to see The Cadets back on the field. Just doesn't seem like, even if it can happen ,it won't be anytime soon.

I think the article shows that Cadets is more than one former director and the mess he created. We can’t forget Cadets’ significant accomplishments are due to many talented people and marchers. The beauty of 1984, the innovation of 2000, the majesty and intricacy of 2011 just to name three years still stand. Old trophies at best are behind glass but more often are put somewhere and collect dust and only mean something to those who earned them. Often no one knows what happened to them, so Cadets trophies may go by the wayside, but if we’re going to learn from the mistakes we can’t forget the legacy.

Oh I know! Something with a bodhran! [marks calendar for 2037]

Issue is the legal process is held up and drawn out just like most legal processes. The Cadets “can’t” fundraise because any funds they collect/have on hand could just go straight to a settlement. (I say “can’t” because they technically can, but why would you?) They already don’t have money. Which is why DCI was added to the list of defendants. In all truth, this lawsuit could take down DCI altogether. DCI has a stronger argument against them being involved compared to The Cadets. This isn’t the same situation as SCV. SCV just had mismanagement issues. Cadets are involved in a legal issue that has social backing and the writing is on the wall. They’re done.

What you say could prove to be true and it would be wonderful for it to be true, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Yes SCV is scheduled to field a corps this year and with some of the folks involved, it could be promising, but until we see the corps on the field, we can’t say “alive and kicken’.” I say this as someone who was surprised Spirit came back as strong as they did, so I realize you never know. However, Cadets’ situation sounds closer to Glassmen who also had to liquidate their assets after they decided not to field a corps. Glassmen never had the drama prior to the former director leaving or the drama and at times chaos that followed his departure, not to mention pending lawsuits. Cadets could compete again, but it would mean starting from scratch.

Ok, like the bank robber dude said in Dirty Harry, "I gots to know". What is this? A bot thing where every time bodhran is mentioned in a 13 year old thread, that thread gets resurrected?

especially not in Lake Erie

When I as a youth was deciding to follow a path of Boy Scouts or Drum Corps the decision was made for me when the Sherrif showed up to one of my Scout meetings and arrested our Scout Master. As it turns out, one of my Scout friends was molested by said Scout master at a camping trip. I missed said camping trip because I was at a Drum Corps event (if I remember a local St Patrick’s parade). For some reason I have a strong motivation for the responsible oversight of Drum Corps, and I could care less about Boy Scouts. It is incumbent on the stakeholders of these organizations to protect them, and guide them. Wherever opportunity exists it will be taken advantage of. Drum Corps are a target rich environment. Others will follow.

In fact, all of the articles are good. https://mastersmarchingarts.com/

I almost missed this, but the Blue Stars recently posted a video of their 2023 program, In-ABSINTHE-ia, from the DCI World Championships Semifinals. This is a high cam video the corps took from the top deck of Lucas Oil Stadium. https://medi-nerd.com/2024/01/29/2023-blue-stars-high-cam-semifinals-video/

I agree concerning settlement & lawyers getting 1/3. But what happens if plaintiff doesn’t have funds to pay? Which could happen if it goes to a jury trial. And the defendant lawyers- they want to get paid too- where are they in the pay prioritizing list?

snow lasts

Typically depends on lawyer-client agreement. Usually court fees/other mandatory expenses are deducted from settlements paid.

SCV is in a better financial situation to come back after a year off. They own their own property and have two bingo locations. The property in Santa Clara is in the heart of Silicone Valley.

Thrower is Canuckian. A Rush show is long overdue

Much as we love "Gloom and Doom" around here, and not that I have any inside information, but I wouldn't write them off just yet.

Even though it's not likely, I truly hope and pray they somehow make it through this. Losing any corps sucks, especially one as storied as the Cadets. Despite the negative image that Hopkins and Co. brought onto the organization, there is still an incredible legacy left behind. On a side note: I loved that line in the article that talked about how "nobody marched faster." That made me giggle for a sec, because one time when I was watching the 2005 show on YouTube, they were marching so fast in the opener that I had actually thought the video was being sped up for a second. I had to double check to make sure the playback speed was set to "normal." Absolutely mind-blowing technique.

i know i saw them in the 70's and of course 80-82, but there was a show at Cedar Cliff high school in 1983 on a hot Sunday afternoon and the Cadets came out and floored 14 year old me. back when you could easily sneak in a tape recorder, i played that tape so many times i wore it out. i didn't know the business side of drum corps, but man most years for a long time i loved the Cadets....89 is still in my top 5. Later on as i got to know more about the other side i confess at times my views on the leadership may have colored my view on the on field product, but i learned to separate the kids from the adult. i'm still surprised they survived 18, and their performance in Allentown will always be one of the most mesmerizing performances i have ever seen. but i have felt for too many years the need to beat everyone over the head with all things maroon and gold/1934 hurt the on field product, because when they were cleaning up, tradition wasn't so blatantly designed into everything. i had hoped the move to Erie would be good, but i had reservations just knowing enough about the lay of the land up there. and even with a not so fun recent interaction with a member of their admin team, i do wish the best for them, but it seems to me for too long they were running from firestorm to firestorm trying to stay ahead of everything, but it Garfield, Bergen County, Allentown, Sponsored by YEA or Erie. sooner or later that stuff catches up. but if SCV can come back ( for now at least) maybe Cadets can too. And if they do......they need to do a lot of looking outside the family and get good, smart devoted people in there behind the scenes.

A tribute to the music of Lester Young. Everyone wears porkpie hats. Finals week slow tag added to exit the field...Charles Mingus's tune of course.