Invader

Crossmen had two: Iron Cross and Cadets

The last time Crossmen used Russian in the show was 1983 and this sounds just like that Mike Dennis chart.

Troopers Blessed Sac. Archer Epler Musketeers

I marched 11 years in two junior and one senior corps and had many big thrills but the best was watching both of my kids march together in 1984. I was a very happy dad.

You assume they are in great hands. I as a former Crossmen parent, volunteer, and fan I hope you are right. I do know that managing a division 1 drum corps is a far cry from managing a high school marching band. And I do know that at the end of the day it's all about money. Drum corps consume a lot of money and you better be able to raise it. That is the most important issue and it's not being talked about. If this very brave band director has the fund raising in place the corps will live on but if not the Crossmen will fold in Texas and that well meaning band director will catch hell from a lot of people. I wish him well.

NO! Not the same venue. Lots of great band music teachers have fallen into a trench with drum corps. It is just another world.

A public school system will never us tax money to support a drum corps so the band director may be involved but the school is not. If the school starts spending money on the Crossmen it will be a lawyers holiday. The ACLU would throw a party. Since the marching band is seeking sponsors I doubt that the school is fully funding the marching band program. My wife and I were 15 year volunteers with Crossmen and we had two children march in the corps. We love the Crossmen and this is very sad news for us but the deed is done and we can't do anything to reverse it. All we can do is wish the new management team well and hope they know what they are doing. A lot of people have talked about all the kids in the San Antonio area who could be potential Crossmen members but membership was never the problem. The problem for every division 1 corps is money. The organization that knows how to raise enough money continues and the ones that don't die. It's a very simple formula and it's the only one that matters. The stadium doesn't matter and the school doesn't matter it's all about money. I hope the new management group understands that. If they don't the corps future in Texas will be a short one.

Amen

Don't know about changes but they need a show coordinator who understands what a drum corps show should be. This years adventure into marching band show concept didn't get the job done. They also need to add a marching tech who knows how to clean a drill. Marching has been Crossmen's achilles heel since the mid 90's. Bobby Yarnell would be a good choice. An alumni who has cleaned a lot of Crossmen drills in past years.

Three that I watch all the time. SCV 1987 Devils 1990 (maybe my all time fav) Crossmen 1992

Another great one from the past. I wish Cavies would bring this one back. Goose bump city

Here ya go GregZ. Kevin's at VFW Nationals in New York 1958.

Norristown Invaders from Pa.

The stadium was renovated 4 years ago and is not falling apart. The very top section was lost but that is only a small section so the few people like me who always sit there will miss it but we can adjust. The stadium is still more than large enought for the event. Leaving Allentown would also hurt for several other reasons. The schools in the area are very friendly to the event and are conditioned to allow the corps housing. If you have ever run a drum corps show you know that the hardest part is lining up housing for your corps. The other reason is Bob Bennett and his outstanding staff. No other group in the activity comes close to pulling off an event like DCI East on the same quality level as Bob and his group. It would be a huge loss.

1983 Crossmen

You call this group old school?

Please... This topic has been beat to death. It's not new.

Thanks Charles. Color photos of the Invaders are very hard to find.

After the Norristown Invaders folded in 1960 the Magnolia Invaders from Magnolia, New Jersey purchased Norristowns horns, drums, shakos, and uniform pants. Below is a picture of Magnolia Invaders marching in the Loyalty Day Parade in Norristown, Pa. 1965.

I thought I would post the rest of my Norristown Invader collection. They had black, red, and gold uniforms. The corps folded in 1960.

Norristown Invaders, Norristown, Pa. marching in the State VFW Convention Parade in Harrisburg circa early 1950's. The corps was also known as Nuss, O'Hara, Todd because it was sponsored by the Nuss, O'Hara Todd VFW Post.

I would like to post some old corps photos but I can't get them to post. How do you post photos?

This is so funny.

Any thing by Mark Thurston.

Russian Christmas Musin - Crossmen The Lords Prayer - Sunrisers 1960's Fire Dance - Garfield Cadets 1963 Lots more over many years but I'm out of time.