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Greatest DCA Corps of All Time


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Creating a formula, as I suggested earlier, is a pretty subjective process in this type of analysis. How does one weight the various factors? So, I quick worked out a short one, based upon years attending DCA, # of times placing in Top 10, # of titles, and average number of corps each corps beat each year. Surprisingly, Cru came out ahead of ES and Bush, which got me to noticing how that kind of analysis weights toward longevity. (Cru having been in many more DCAs than ES or Bush.)

But, as for my suggestion that avg # of corps beaten rather than average placing might be more valuable, try the following list on for size. (Truncated to corps that attended DCA 7 or more times, or at least 5 consecutive years.)

Cabs (14.1)

Empire Statesmen (14.0)

Renegades (13.9)

Bushwackers (13.5)

Bucs (12.4)

Brigs (11.7)

Hurcs (10.8)

Sun (10.6)

Sky (10.2)

Corps Vets (9.9)

Cru (9.6)

SCA (9.6)

MBI (9.5)

Matadors (9.3)

Yankee Rebels (9.0)

Carolina Gold (8.2)

Westshoremen (7.7)

Kilties (7.1)

Govenaires (7.0)

Erie T-birds (6.4)

Grennies (6.3)

Kingsmen (5.8)

Les Diplomates (5.8)

Guelph Royalaires (4.9)

PittsburghRockets (3.6)

Hanover Lancers (3.0)

Chicago Vanguard (3.0)

Bonnie Scots (3.0)

Boys/Spirit of 76 (2.9)

OH Brass Factory (2.8)

Heat Wave (2.8)

Capitol Brass (2.0)

Chieftains (1.6)

Gulf Coast Sound (1.6)

Milton Keystoners (0.8)

Man that would take a nuclear engineer to figure out...

Oh wait... :laugh:

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Westshoremen (7.7)

Bonnie Scots (3.0)

You must have been using the scores out of the DCA program Dale. Same group that used two different names over the years (Westshoremen-Bonnie Scots until 72 and Westshoremen 74 after). The program just doesn't have the room for Westshoremen-Bonnie Scots.

Also I haven't checked lately but the "Diplomats" in the late 70s is the Johnsonburg Diplomats, not Les Diplomats who broke up around 1973. Not sure if that typo is still in the books.

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I think that is a typo. SCA's first DCA was 1981 and its last was 1992 (and went every year in between).

So, that should be 12, not 19. First year: 1981, first finals 1983. Top 5 - 1985, 1986, and 1987. Last finals: 1990. Folded in Fall of 1993. Now performs as an alumni corps.

I think it's also a big :laugh: that Cabs come number one on this list. More interesting is the race for 2nd, with ES beating Bush handily, or at least moreso than I would've thought. But, then ES has been Top 4 for 21 (of 26) years. Bush has been more up and down, but has been in Finals every year of its 28 years of existence.

I would try using a points system: W points for average placing, X points for each year participating, Y points for each year in Finals, Z points for each championship.

An even better way is to award corps not for placing, but for how many corps they beat that season. That gives a more objective view of the corps' strength than average placing. DCA Prelims numbers vary a lot, the corps that placed 13th (whose name escapes me right now) out of 24 corps in this just-completed season has to be stronger than the 1993 Chieftains, who finished 13th (and last).

I wasnt that bored.

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Another way to determine the best corps - to throw a monkey wrench into the discussion - the number of un-defeated seasons (total or successive), or the largest spread between first place and second. The last MIGHT be the only way to compare corps from one "era" to another, as the styles and method of judging today, are so radically different from the early years. Every person will have their own opinion, as I do, based on their own preferences and prejudices.

The only empirical method is using math (as in the tic system :laugh: ) or pure opinion as used in today's judging system. No matter which system you use, someone will ALWAYS disagree.

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Greatest show... NO.

Greatest collection of people in a single season at one corps in DCA. Therefore, the greatest CORPS. I am not talking in terms of "over the years" like this thread may be... but in a single season, pound for pound talent and ability in DCA, 2002 Brigs are it. Trust me, I was there. :-)

There is no possible way anyone can make a claim to being the best single corps in the history of the activity.

It's your opinion and belief that the '02 Brigs were that, and thats absolutely fine. But its completely arguable and its an open ended argument as there is no way to have a "showdown" between all the possible contenders.

Personally, the 1985 Cabs were the best single corps ever in my opinion. That corps was a wrecking machine.

My dad would probably pick a Skyliners corps from the late 50's. That's his opinion.

See the dilema here?

Pride in your personal accomplishments is great, and you should definitely be proud to have been a part of that corps. But your claim is not provable in any way.

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Another way to determine the best corps - to throw a monkey wrench into the discussion - the number of un-defeated seasons (total or successive), or the largest spread between first place and second. The last MIGHT be the only way to compare corps from one "era" to another, as the styles and method of judging today, are so radically different from the early years. Every person will have their own opinion, as I do, based on their own preferences and prejudices.

The only empirical method is using math (as in the tic system :laugh: ) or pure opinion as used in today's judging system. No matter which system you use, someone will ALWAYS disagree.

1976.......Cabs by 5.8 over the Bucs.

:smile:

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