skluyuk Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 You are a good person Chris. That is an excellent post and shows respect for all. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisNAtlanta Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 CONGRATS to the 2007 Cadets!!! http://www.drumcorpsplanet.com/forums/inde...howtopic=103424 b**bs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tptchic Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 This is actually an interesting topic that I wouldnt mind scratching the surface of. Thursday night when we got pulled off the field it was very alarming. As most of us were spread out in the opening set we really didn't know why we were being called back to the center of the field. There was kind of a brief explanation...and then Hopkins told us we had to block it up and hurry exit the tunnel. Once I knew why we were being called off, I knew we were going to hear boos. People were intoxicated, we're already public enemy number one for every other reason, and we're not exactly close to home. I knew as we were leaving the field that this was a bad choice. And as much as many people believe Hopkins did it for some sort of competitive edge....he really didnt. He did it for the safety of the corps. Although I knew that, and we knew that as a corps....I knew the 12,000 people in the stands weren't thinking the same thing. We all knew as soon as we had to go back out there we were going to get booed....and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Being apart of the 2006 production we/I sort have got used to constant criticism of the show and used to not having the greatest crowd reactions, but this was a horrible feeling beyond any prior that we were put in. It was bad enough to have our energy we were ready to bring halted by the sudden incident....but the nasty comments we heard from the stands before and during the show really effected me. we tried to not let it hinder our performance but there was no stopping it....once the show started there was such a lack of energy as it felt like everyone was marching on eggshells. I noticed stupid errors that hadn't happened since spring training...just complete mental breakdowns. It wasn't the worst performance we could've done, but it certainly wasn't the way we planned to start the first of the three nights. When Hopkins spoke to the corps after the performance as he always did, it was a complete different vibe from any time before. Usually when we come off the field he always knows whether it was a good or bad performance...and when they're bad he gives us a minor pep talk to how we need to take the approach to get better. But that night it was different. He started with sincerely apologizing to the corps for putting us through it. He never had the intentions to set us up for a performance where the fans were booing from the beginning. He explained that his decision was purely spur of the moment and he didnt take the time to think of all the consequences. Obviously its easy for anyone to criticise him when its hindsight 20/20. But he was purely in the moment on a field with 135 performers ready to start, and 12,000 people in the stands screaming at him, and he was faced with a choice. He felt horrible for the position he put us in, and it was the most sincere speech I had ever witnessed from him. It made my eyes water to hear the regret and sorrow from him as he explained how he barely knew what had happened in the show because of how upset he was in the stands with hearing the constant boos and heckling his performers were receiving. After four years of marching drum corps, Quarterfinals night 2007 was the worst performance emotionally that I have ever felt. It will stand as my worst drum corps experience, and I hope another corps will never have to go through a performance with what that crowd put us through. It felt horrible and disgusting. I understand after reading these boards a few days after finals, many claim that the boos were directed towards Mr. Hopkins and NOT the corps. BUT, we didnt feel that, nor (at least I) didnt know that. We received those boos as boos towards us. The laughing, the heckling, the obnoxious comments through out the whole show....we felt towards us. And it did negatively impact our performance and we all knew it. As far as the outcome of finals and the season....it ended the way it was supposed to end. Whether were going to win or not, we brought our best stuff we had to offer both friday and saturday night, and it was up to 8 judges to crown a winner....nothing anyone else could control. Neither placement would have overshadowed the work and memories that went into this summer...and this was the best summer I could've possibly asked for regardless of that final number was. Just a little insider that might shed some light on the topic.....hope it helps I just wanted to say good job on writting out exactly how....I think I can safely say, all of us felt. I agree with it all. Congrats on aging out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_devil_fan Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 Interestingly enough, a thread about 3 weeks ago asked if you would boo the Cadets. I will be honest in saying I am very far from being a Cadet fan. But with that sad, quarterfinals was a very sad day for the drum corps activity. I can't begin to think about what the members of the Cadets felt like that night. There should be no place for booing. But with that thread from 3 weeks ago, I wonder how many people said they would never boo the Cadets, and then on the night of Quarterfinals, booed them anyways. It should never happen in this activity. Each member of each corps works way too hard to be put down like that. It wasn't Hopkins fault, it was the fans fault. They should have the intelligence to first understand the situation before they make rash actions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmf Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 How many of these threads do we really need? about as many as the negative posts bobert. maybe more. chris... excellent. echoes my feelings entirely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 threads merged, remember to check for an existing thread. chances are someone has created something along the lines of your's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAMystreaux Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 about as many as the negative posts bobert. maybe more. chris... excellent. echoes my feelings entirely. Yes, funny how we have not seen him question how many negative Cadets threads we need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeke Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 THANK YOU thePerfectbuzz and THANK YOU CADETS for putting out such and AWESOME SHOW THIS YEAR!! I was extremely embarrassed as a fan sitting in the stands listening too all that crap and heckling. That just isn't right and I do honestly hope that those that did reflected after the fact and felt like crap..as they deservedly shouldv'e. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euponitone Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 THANK YOU thePerfectbuzz and THANK YOU CADETS for putting out such and AWESOME SHOW THIS YEAR!!I was extremely embarrassed as a fan sitting in the stands listening too all that crap and heckling. That just isn't right and I do honestly hope that those that did reflected after the fact and felt like crap..as they deservedly shouldv'e. So...where are all the brave souls that booed?? If dcp is a representation of the fans, and thousands were booing, then where are they? So far I'm seeing mostly apologists for the actions of thursday night.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlvalet Posted August 16, 2007 Share Posted August 16, 2007 So...where are all the brave souls that booed?? Well, I am still here...however, I didn't boo when they were pulled off the field (I was honestly confused and asked my friend what the heck was going on). I don't think I would "boo" a corps. And honestly, "booing" really isn't my style...I only reacted after I saw George yelling at Dan. George didn't help matters when he bowed to the crowd. It was a short boo, but a boo nonetheless... Honestly,I can't believe this is still being talked about. A part of me thinks that the people who were offended by the booing want an apology from those that did it, and they (the offended) won't let this subject die until they feel an acceptable level of "apology-ness" has been reached. Now that George has issued an apology, can't this all be water under the bridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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