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Shane... I remember that whole deal very clearly! I'm still not sure exactly how that little incident happened. All I know is that I asked the staff where to meet after lunch and passed it down to everyone in the sop line. Other section leaders did the same. Then mysteriously that spot changed with only a handful of members finding out about it. I think we were set up just so they could kick our butts (all for a good reason of course!). DeKalb does trigger some great memories. Over the years, I probably spent more time marching in that stadium than any other stadium around. Pioneer always would have a couple stadium days before DCM, and we even went down there sometimes before that to practice. In fact, I can remember back in 1995 when it 110 outside the whole week of DCM, Pioneer bought many of the other corps stadium time because those corps felt that it was too hot to be practicing in the stadium. In hindsight, they were probably right... but we still made the best of it. DeKalb was my first real drum corps show ever in front of bigger crowd. As a rookie, l fondly remember "struggling" to keep my horn above the wall... and I played soprano! But I'll be completely honest, DeKalb grew on me over the years and I'm really going to miss it. Some people have voiced their dislike for the campus, but I'd have to say that it provided some of the most unique locations to warm up. Even when DCM was at its peak, you could still hunt out a good spot to warm up. I'd actually have to say the weirdest show that I had at DeKalb was the North American Open for Div II/III corps in I think 1994. That was the year that they installed the "premium" red seats in the stadium. The North American Open was held during the middle of the construction process, and all I remember is that there was a big gaping hole in the middle of the stadium where they had ripped out the old benches and concrete in preparation for the new section. Essentially, you were looking at the skeleton of the stadium. And all of the sound went right into that hole and disappeared! Ah yes, the memories!

I know for a fact that there are some changes going on within the Pioneer at this time. However, those changes will be announced by corps management when the timing is right! For the best source of information on the Pioneer, feel free to check out our website: pioneer-corps.org Be sure to check out the latest feature to the Pioneer site, "News From the Top". This section will feature regular updates from the Corps office! Stop by today and you might see something that will surpise you!

The short answer to your question is yes, spectators are still allowed to take pictures at DCI events for personal use. However, any "public" display of those pictures down the road would require permission from DCI or the corps in the pictures. Check out the following link to an article on DCI's website which clarifies most of the common questions: Clarification of DCI photo policy -- an FAQ

I'd venture to say that it probably wasn't instructional staff either as the previously stated aspect of them having to be down on the field assisting the corps at getting off in time is almost always true. I'd bet that it was some type of support staff. I don't know if other corps have this problem, but what seems to happen sometimes at regional shows is that people come out of the woodwork for a day or two to help out (open a couple cans of fruit, mix some kool-aid, etc...) with the corps just to get their hands on a corps credential to get in for free. I'd venture to say that it was probably someone more in that category than in any other. Regardless, it was still a poor representation of the corps in question and shouldn't be tolerated. At Pioneer we contantly stress the importance of "class"... The ability to do the right thing at the right time without being told. Most corps preach the same. Unfortunately, there's always a few individuals who miss the clue phone when it's ringing.

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