SUNCOASTFAN

After carfeful consideration and conversation with Suncoast Alumni and Staff, this project will not happen. The activity itself is very difficult and the politics, Suncoast history good and bad would be hard to overcome. I thank those that posted comments and suggestions that helped us make this decision. Our focus will remain with the other non-profit organizations we support. On a personal note, I found it very interesting that some people spent more time trying to figure out where our contribution funds come from and who we represent rather then supporting the idea. This could be the very reason that large corporations keep who they contribute funds to confidential and furthermore limits those other corporations from supporting this type of non-profit effort with so many other great causes to support that don't have other motives. I found the people in the activity working day to day are great people only to have people who don't or haven't spent the tremendous amount of time neccessary to support this wonderful form of youth is the arts. Special thanks to the following for allowing us to work as volunteers during the 2007 DCI Tour. We were the people that just showed up to help! The Colts, Academy, Blue Devils and Madsion Scouts. K. Pillay

Thank for all your help!!!!! Kasturi

We have been very successful in locating and speaking with many, many old Suncoast Alumni and have had very positive feedback. For those in drum corps land that could send us contact information for the follwing people and PM to this address. Robert Smith - Located Kevin Ford - Located Howard Weinstein - Need Mike Robinson - Located Jeff Bridges - Need Rich Viano - Need Frank Williams - Located William Durst - Need Karl Lowe - Need Adam Sage - Located Jack Starling - Need John Campese - Need Daniel Wood - Located Ron Ellis - Located Randy Blackburn - Located Dennis Laorenza - Need Paul Gansemer - Need Michael James - Need John Zollo - Need Dave Carbone - Need Alan Murray - Need These are former staff and or members of Suncoast. We have already contacted past administration but would like the opportunity to contact these people. Thank you for your support. Kasturi Pillay

Thank you for your post. Who I am is not important but at this time but my position is in community support for our firm. If you read some of the posting on this link you will answer some of your own questions. Other detailed material can not be discussed at this time for obvious reason's. The Suncoast name can be used as a d.b.a only. I am not an alumni of any drum corps but our CEO was a huge Suncoast fan in the early 80's. Feel free to PM for more information. Kasturi

Dear Mr. Sorrell, I thank you for your opinions and advice posted in this forum but please don't mis-undertand, we intend to do all and much more that has been suggested in all areas before moving forward. The "deadline" is to determine if we move forward based on dialog with various individuals, vendors, management and executives. At this point we are making great strides with certain individuals and vendors that want to be a part of this project however, this is not the only thing to be considered but will help decide if we are to continue moving forward. Again there is not much you have posted that we have not already thought about, considered, researched and investigated during this process that has been on going for the past 11 months. K. Pillay

We currently support various musical youth groups in the area including programs and the Boys and Girls Club. We also offer scholarship programs for college students for Florida residents. The Suncoast venture will has a long way to go before a decision is made. Deadline will be May 1, 2008. We are also in the process of communicating with various past designers for Suncoast during the early years and will take all of this information into consideration during this period of time. We expect good things based on the dialog thus far and will post what we can as we can. Thank you. Kasturi Pillay

I guess you never watched a Cadet practice or April's sectional.....now that's some good stuff!

NEVER CUT BRASS PLAYERS UNTIL APRIL!!!!! EVEN IF YOU HAVE 90

Wow, fantastic input! As we read your comments, opinons and views on how things have worked for your situation and based on your experience and drum corps knowledge we appreciate everything you have mentioned. I am also not at total liberty to discuss detailed information with regard to who we are at this point for obvious reasons but I can say our CEO is very much like Mr. Cook with being philanthropic but at a larger scale. Starting a drum corps from the ground up is always an option but the model that was in place, level of staff and programming for Suncoast Sound during the 80's is a standard we are looking to support longterm. You are also correct in saying the alumni associations are good for a certain purpose but cannot dictate the daily goals and or objective of the day to day operation for any organization and should be made aware of this from the beginning. Our CEO is on many Board's that are supported by volunteers and or alumni and their support has tremendous value but at no time do they dictate how, why, where and when. Committee's alumni and volunteers work for organizations but cannot run them. Again, thank you for your comments.

Some great stuff here, thank you! Here's our take at this point to some of your points that are well taken: 1) Our corporation is fine with long-term support. The Suncoast Circle K deal was not the doing of Circle K. This was a Suncoast management issue that sent Circle K packing after only one year of a three year commitment of 1 million dollars. 2) More Suncoast staff in Florida then you could imagine. People like Mr. Williams, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Ford to name a few are local, this is not to say they would even have an interest. 3)Our corporation is fine with long-term support and are willing to place funding in place and out of our hands and into a separte non-profit corporation to be dispersed annually under a guided Board of Directors. As far as the start-up cost is concerned this amount is after all equipment has been purchased so the actual figure is much higher. 4) Well aware of the "season" of the activity. Yes, we would have some local high profile functions. 5) I absolutely agree. We are very proud to have supported these fine organizations for the past 10 years and will continue to do so. Supporting the drum corps activity is just another avenue of support for a different venue. It would be expected that our support would build life lessons with each member of any group we support. Please realize we are NOT trying to defend what our intentions or objectives may be. I thank you for your questions and concerns with attempting such a project. I cannot speak for how your alumni have or have not supported your groups return or changes over the years. It would seem however that you are on solid ground and have a wonderful organization that you are proud of and should be. We can only hope for continued input on the web but have started to contact certain people of interest to advise us. Look forward to continued dialog.

1- Suncoast Sound name can be used doing business as.....new non-profit 2- Yes, the Tampa area, the corporate offices are here. 3- No, not Circle "K" but regionally as large 4- Not sure but we would follow the path DCI if this happens

Just a few quick questions for all drum corps fans, alumni, potential staff and members. If a Tampa area corporation ( former Suncoast supporter ) was to support a Suncoast Sound return to DCI with some working capital, musical equipment new for all sections, a business Board of Directors in place, new uniforms and transportation to start out of the gate: a) Would this be accepted by alumni? b) Who (Director) would be interested in the day to day operation of the corps including staff, support staff, volunteers and adhere to a strick working budget? c) Would old staff and designers support the corps return and or even provide service? Public opinion matters to a certain degree thus the post but we are also trying to get genuine feedback from those in the drum corps world that have worked with, supported and marched with Suncoast Sound over the years. Based on this feedback we would then make a decision only if we thought that a "new" Suncoast Sound could only hope to become once again a drum corps fan favorite with a strong competitive desire. Please respond.