Oakland Crusaders
The 77 Line
"Nobody will ever do what we did. I hope you've worn it well" - Doug Bass, 2002
On the afternoon of August 18, 1977, on the field at Folsom Stadium in Boulder, Colorado, the Oakland Crusaders drum line scored 18.85 in percussion (X 14.2, PA 5.0, Total 19.2 - Judge #1; X 13.6, PA 4.9, Total 18.5 - Judge #2) in preliminary competition at the Drum Corps International Championships.
Oaklands were first in every sub-caption on both percussion judges' sheets. The Blue Devils and the Freelancers both scored 18.2 to tie for 2nd. The Oakland Crusaders placed 15th overall, not making finals.
The following night, at DCI Finals in Denver's Mile High Stadium, The Blue Devils would not beat the prelims score Oaklands had posted. Devils would only get 18.8 and the High Drums trophy.
No corps in the history of DCI ever won a caption and failed to make finals.
The Oakland Crusaders of 1977 have become a trivia question. More importantly they became legends.
We are celebrating this Drumline's feat on October 27,2007 and are desperately searching for a recording of the DCI prelim show from the 77 season and would like to ask for your help in finding this recording.
Thanks
Drumline