I believe the Phantom Regiment, and especially it's Program Coordinator, Dan Ferrill and it's Program Advisor, Dr. Dan Richardson, will not break with tradition without a reason. Both gentlemen go back a long, long time with the Phantom Regiment. I would suggest that they would argue more vehemently for the preservation of the Phantom Regiment's traditions more loudly than anyone. But, not at the expense of the overall quality of the program chosen for their 50th Anniversay Season!
The addition of John Owen this year, as the Gene Kelly character, was simply done to enhance the quality and effectiveness of the overall program performed by the Phantom Regiment. If the colorguard is co-ed in 2006 because the program will be better served by the inclusion of male guard members, then so be it. I certainly am in no position to doubt their judgement on anything after the seeing the evolution of their "Rhapsody" show this season.
Robert