O.P.

Bingo

That doesn't solve the problem. Keep your reviews coming and let the debate continue. People need to hear that not all people share their view on their favorite corps. Too many people believe there is an absolute truth out there somewhere, often labeling good opinions as "politics" or "getting screwed." Pity it is that more folks don't embrace the discussion and learn to debate in a healthy, educating manner. Constructive criticism should be healthy for us all in this activity, and we just might benefit from it in the long run.

I don't think it was a place where there was less chance of other corps members falling. It was more that he was just lucky that his dot at that point in the drill had him on the far end of Side 2. Had he been in the mess in the middle when he fell, this situation would've been a lot worse. IIRC, this happened in that really complicated drill on the isolated hits where the corps is running their ###3$ off towards the middle with gates and all kinds of amazing craziness. One clarification: It was side #1. (Facing the field, left of the 50) While fortunate to be at the end out on the 15 -20 yard line, the member did his best to emerge from the line and try to get off the field. Unfortunately, there was only one person on the sideline as it was happening, a woman in black dress (I assumed an instructor) who could come to his aid. She did as quickly as she could, but as the member tried to limp to her, it was apparent to everyone in the stadium that his leg was broken badly. The woman tried to help but appeared too weak to hold his full weight on her shoulder and help him off the field, and I suspect he was in significant enough pain that he was limited in movement. Eventually someone else came out to help them both off the field. I doubt very much any other the members knew there was an injured member other that the few around him, let alone the severity as it was happening. How many of us have seen people go down during a performance? An SCV horn player fell earlier in the night and he got up and back in position quickly. There was also a noticably warmer applause for Crown at the conclusion of the performance in part yes, for their outstanding season, but also I felt IMO for the young man and the courage he showed during his injury. I read that he is doing well, and like others would be glad to contribute to his 2011 season. In no small way, his efforts were the embodiment of how hard drum corps kids are willing to work for this activity and the obstacles they overcome. Just for him, they were more serious than any I have ever witnessed and on our largest stage. I wish him a quick and full recovery.

Jim Prior to the victory run, a gentleman at the top of the first level wearing a cowboy hat, stood up and began to cite the corps championship years in a long loud voice. Most people just stopped and turned and listened. All I could think of was the ending of "Dances with Wolves" when the Brave sits on his horse atop a canyon wall and repeats that Dances with Wolves is his friend. It had that same poignant moment, solemn, respectful and proud.

Interesting that of the top 5, 3 of them were special for barely beating the Blue Devils, i.e., the Cadets, Phantom and Madison shows. So I find it intersting that the most successful corps is not mentioned among the top 5. Makes you think the activity sees BD not so much as the great champion that they are, but as a standard setter for other corps to evaluate themselves against and achieve greatness. For that reason, I do not see how you can leave out 76 BD. That show changed the activity in many categories, e.g., Brass performance, Brass book, musical book, visual design, effect, and overall standards of excellence so much so that many poeple felt they were un beatable from 76 through 82 in which they won 5 in 7 years. In fact, I remember distinctly a friend saying to me in the Spring of 79, "isn't it interesting that everyone thinks the corps to beat this year is the Blue Devils and they didn't even win last year?" The truth is that since the mid 70's, every corps that rises to the top, does so by surpassing the Blue Devils in the game, making it their high point in the organizations history and rightfully so. The Cadets and Cavie corps were historical in their runs. But shouldnt the Blue Devils get credit for advancing the activity in this way, for influencing drum corps?

Interesting thoughts, but the fact is that today's sheets are a deliberate attempt to change the judging system to allow corps like 27th a better chance at winning. The efficient performances of the west coast corps where great and exciting in their own way, but 27th had people standing up for the sheer thrill of their performance. I can remember one show that SCV beat 27th and the crowd never stood up except at the end in repsectful admisration, but the crowd lept to their feet six or seven times during 27th. SCV won by 2 points. DCI was smart enough to realize that they needed to encourage less execution and more excitement and 27th's role in that is as significant as any corps in history.

Larry Dastrup, Blue Devils could play with anyone. Check out State of the Art.

Of the 37 Championships..., 12 were decided convincingly by a point or better, with the greatest spread being SCV in 73 of 2.5. Blue Devils own 6 of these 12, and 4 of their victories are in the top six of all time. 13 were decided with solid wins of less than a point but greater than .5. BD owns 5 of these; Cadets, 4. The remaining 12 were won by a narrow margin 0f .4 or less. SCV owns 4 of these; Cadets, 3

82 saw two vast improvements for the BD crew. The drum line moving up to 3rd place, and the dominating marching execution to a degree that despite coming in 2nd in GE (mostly from the guard) and 3rd in Visual analysis, you still won the High visual trophy (which hangs in my office at home given to me by Mike Moxley after finals.)

Most appreciated.... it was the best year and it was a joy.

And tonight we have another strong candidate for corps director telling us why he should lead the nation's corps. MLK would be proud, I think, tonight, but then men such as him often surprise us with their reactions when we presume to undersand how they think. Another failing of ours. Tonight Ironlips, I hope you hear it again, that call to inspire, that vision for our collective path, and that wisdom in which we can believe. Enjoy that you are lucky to witness it twice in your lifetime....

27th Lancers: 1975 Anaheim Kingsmen: 1972 Blue Devils: 1982 Blue Knights: Blue Stars: Bluecoats: Boston Crusaders: 1966 Bridgemen: 1980 Cadets: 1984 Carolina Crown: Cavaliers: 2006 Crossmen: Glassmen: 1982 Madison Scouts: 1975 Phantom Regiment: 2008 Santa Clara Vanguard: 1974 Spirit: 1980 Star of Indiana: 1993 Suncoast Sound: Troopers:

Interesting stuff... Of the 37 Championships..., 12 were decided convincingly by a point or better, with the greatest spread being SCV in 73 of 2.5. Blue Devils own 6 of these 12, and 4 of their victories are in the top six of all time. 13 were decided with solid wins of less than a point but greater than .5. BD owns 5 of these; Cadets, 4. The remaining 12 were won by a narrow margin 0f .4 or less. SCV owns 4 of these; Cadets, 3

Oh, that's easy. Anytime I was able to shut you up from giving me a load of crap and lip. If I did that, I figured I had a good day and earned my keep.

Tony One of the "boys of 82." Look for my PM