camel lips

I would bet a crispy that DCA cuts ties with Cadets2 . They really had a thorn in their side over hotel gate and were looking for a good reason to bump them . Bet Cadets2 is gone

George Hopkins!

Would love to have been a bug on the wall for that one .

Gotta feel for all the Staff Members that are associated with The Cadets and where this leaves them. You certainly don't want ur name associated with Hopkins today. OF course this is a tight industry and everyone at that level knows who's who and I doubt it will have much affect on any of them getting a job. Unless it comes out that they knew something and did nothing. We saw this recently play out at the college football level with the UT Vols went to hire Greg Schiano and the Alumni had a temper tantrum over his association at Penn State > turned out their Temper Tantrum was unfounded that he had no Knowledge of the Sandusky stuff only that his name was mentioned in some court filings. But you can see where this can be damaging to someones reputation. It cheated him out of 8 million a year.

Someone WHO IS A CADET with long standing ties to the Cadets but no long standing ties to Hopkins would be my guess. At least in the short run to get the Alumni and DCI satisfied that all is well in the organization and that its strong and viable.

I think the biggest elephant in the room will be determining WHO KNEW and WHEN did they know it. DCI message today was clear about that.

Its totally similar to the Sandusky situation. At least on the surface. Hopkins is accused of similar misconduct and grooming his victims though YEA and The Cadets much like Sandusky located and groomed his victims through the Second Mile. How anyone cannot see that is a mystery to me. I realize that people may not want to associate the Sandusky scandal with Hopkinsgate but the similarities CANNOT be ignored and won't be on the average bear. In all, nine women have told the Inquirer and Daily News they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins, the longtime director of the Allentown-based Cadets. Their stories span from 1980 to as recently as a few years ago and include accusations of lewd comments, groping, and rape. The women ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents. The Penn State child sex abuse scandal started with Jerry Sandusky, an assistant American football coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions, engaging in sexual abuse of children over a period of at least 15 years. Sandusky had located and groomed victims through his charity organization, The Second Mile. The scandal broke in early November 2011 when Sandusky was indicted on 52 counts of child molestation. Although Sandusky's abuse may have begun in the 1970s, he was charged with abuse that occurred between 1994 and 2009.[1] Additionally, three Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) school officials (including school president Graham Spanier and athletic director Tim Curley) were charged with perjury, obstruction of justice, failure to report suspected child abuse, and related charges.[2] Shortly after the scandal broke, Spanier resigned. The Penn State Board of Trustees terminated the contracts of Curley and of the longtime head football coach, Joe Paterno.

Did you read the entire article ? In all, nine women have told the Inquirer and Daily News they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins, the longtime director of the Allentown-based Cadets. Their stories span from 1980 to as recently as a few years ago and include accusations of lewd comments, groping, and rape. The women ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents.

If I had a child at The Cadets I would really have to look at alot of factors. 1. My Child's attitude towards the organization and the overall vibe after this came out. 2. The way the organization is handling the crisis. 3. Assurances that steps were in the right direction to see that my child's interest were being protected. Lets face it. This could have happened anywhere. Not just at drum corps. Kids can get exposed to this anywhere. Ive seen no less than 6 local band directors/ assistant band directors brought up on child rape charges in the last 10 years. So that one time at band camp??? Yeah it could happen anywhere.

YEA is in a tough spot no doubt. Probably wanting to do the right thing but being held back by several factors. Lawyers for one being the biggest. Secondly they are probably trying to get advice from some of the biggest names in the industry that can help advise them on how to get out in front of this correctly. One misstep could be tragic. I feel for them.

It will effect every organization GH had ties too and more. Cadets 2 is possibly the smallest of the groups he had ties too and I might suggest one of the youngest and most fragile of the groups. DCA being the fickle bunch they are probably will want to cut ties with them quickly. I don't see them fielding this summer or ever again.

NOW THIS is being proactive and out in front of things. The Cadets would be wise to do the same in regards.

Hopkinsgate crashed DCI

Very possible.

I want to hang around for the melt myself.

Very Well said. Lets not forget the kids that have worked hard over the years.

YEA and The Cadets would be smart not to even mention his name or the impending possible legal action. Perhaps have a prepared statement that sums up that The Cadets are moving forward with New Beginnings and now we start from here type of thing and leave it at that.

Personally I think Cadets2 will suffer first and foremost at this. I will be surprised if they are even able to field this summer. Staff Issues and recruiting will be the issue here. The Cadets can probably weather the storm till this sorts itself out.

I won'g go so far as to say Cadets are done or YEA are done. Hopkins no doubt is done with the Cadets and YEA IMHO. No way can the organization let him stay on. YEA and The Cadets have to get out on front of this and be aggressive. Start with firing Hopkins and appointing a independent counsel to investigate everyone top to bottom within the organization and let the chips fall where they may. Gaining the parents and public trust in the organization starting NOW will depend on the long term survival of the organization. Its going to take some short term hits. If the investigation finds that the allegations are unfounded and or that No one at YEA or The Cadets were aware of the allegations then as they say..the show can go on.

I think what is particularly bothersome is that YEA has been the forefront for the Youth AND Education in the Arts . Practically pushing it down the throats of the activity (at times) so to speak. THIS ^^^^^ could be one of the biggest backlashes in the activity from all of this if the allegations turn out to be true and there were people at YEA and THE Cadets organizations that either knew or should have known what was going on.

IDK how you can leave the Sandusky stuff out of it Jeff. THe parallels are going to be too close and similar. The question IS GOING TO BE WHO KNEW AND WHEN DID THEY KNOW IT. Like I said in my remarks before I am willing to wait for the investigation to conclude before casting stones in anyone's direction including Hopkins.

Can't speak for today's DCA but up until 2009 that was pretty common place for DCA ALL AGE corps to shower together. No one thought anything about it. When DCA ALL AGE Corps would visit DCI sites we (adults) would shower with the DCI corps and nothing was thought or said about it. Imma sure this will be a game changer for the DCA rules and regulations as well when visiting DCI show sites. Even though DCA is largely a Youth generated activity now days.

Me personally I can wait for the investigation to take its course. But I don't think the activity being a youth generated activity can wait. I just don't see any way around it. George will have to resign post haste and the board will need to appoint a over sight committee to oversee its day to day operations till the investigation in concluded. If the investigation determines that NO other YEA member knew of Georges Shenaiangans then it should go on . Problem I have is if these allegations are true they either knew or should have known what was going on and turned a blind eye to it. It sorta reeks of the whole Penn State scandal IMHO.

For all of us that marched or watched a show there.. It came tumbling down in a matter of seconds. A very sad day.Skip to 16:00 if you want to see it.

Funny part about it. You have to know to ask for it. It will never be offered to you . Lol