Legacy Drum & Bugle Corps

[Jeff Ream]

7 hours ago, erroneous said:

People were honestly very mean to tom on that thread. Hopefully everyone can just chill out. 

I’m aware. I know Tommy. He only holds grudges for the right reasons. But then he’s a Giants fan too lol 

[Barneveld]

3 hours ago, Jeff Ream said:

I’m aware. I know Tommy. He only holds grudges for the right reasons. But then he’s a Giants fan too lol 

Better than being a Jets fan!

[Jeff Ream]

22 minutes ago, Barneveld said:

Better than being a Jets fan!

they have any left?

[ColaPanther]

It's a little humorous to see people in the comments saying this is The Cadets reincarnated. You’re not supposed to say the quiet part out loud, you’re gonna get them in trouble! 🤣

 

I know the overall situation isn't really funny. Just let me have this laugh so I can keep my sanity. These are dark days we're in. 

Edited October 31, 2025 by ColaPanther

[cixelsyd]

On 10/30/2025 at 9:26 AM, Crown1990 said:

I'm actually surprised that someone hasn't come forward to bring this to the attention of the Bergen County, NJ court that handled the main lawsuit or the Western PA Bankruptcy Court that administered the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case that stipulated (unless I'm mistaken) no version of the corps can be fielded again. 

Does a bankruptcy court have the authority to make such an order?  Thinking back to when the Boston Crusaders were bankrupted in 1982, they merely removed "Crusaders" from their name and went right on wearing the same uniforms and competing in the same circuits for nearly three years, at which point they reclaimed their name.

Quote

While Legacy may not be financially connected or be a differently organized 501 c3 group, my understanding that any likeness of the original organization may not be used, in any future endeavor. This is clearly being flaunted by the new group, who are using the Cadets color scheme and traditional flourishes in their announcement imagery.

Then what specifically are the guidelines?  If dissolving the corps is not enough, what else must be done to differentiate?

• Can no one ever use the name "Cadets" (which is the most common name in drum corps history)?
• Can no one ever use a maroon and gold color scheme?
• Are military style uniforms off limits?  Shakos?  Citation cords?  Cumberbunds?  Chevrons?  Will other corps like Phantom Regiment get swept up in this purge?
• Can no new corps be formed in New Jersey?  Must we eliminate the ones we still have?  Is that where Jersey Surf went?
• Can no alumni of the Cadets ever be involved in administering, designing or teaching for a new corps?
• Can we no longer have corps directors who serially - oh, never mind, that would be a legitimate distinguishing factor we could all agree on.

Quote

Is this a risk really worth taking?

Maybe if reclaiming the Cadet name, DCI membership and revenue sharing status was on the table... but that is not possible. 

Legacy would be a new corps SoundSport team, which at best could have a sufficiently successful first season that enables them to enter into a 3-year plan to become an open-class corps.  There, they would toil on without adequate revenue sharing or show access for many years, waiting for world-class attrition to make DCI amenable to promoting someone from open-class to prospective membership.  That is already far harsher punishment than George Hopkins has received.

Edited October 31, 2025 by cixelsyd

[Jeff Ream]

5 hours ago, ColaPanther said:

It's a little humorous to see people in the comments saying this is The Cadets reincarnated. You’re not supposed to say the quiet part out loud, you’re gonna get them in trouble! 🤣

 

I know the overall situation isn't really funny. Just let me have this laugh so I can keep my sanity. These are dark days we're in. 

i like many of the people involved. but everything screams Cadets....they can downplay it all the want, we can mock it or be offended all we want...they're gonna do what they're gonna do. 

[Jeff Ream]

2 hours ago, cixelsyd said:

Does a bankruptcy court have the authority to make such an order?  Thinking back to when the Boston Crusaders were bankrupted in 1982, they merely removed "Crusaders" from their name and went right on wearing the same uniforms and competing in the same circuits for nearly three years, at which point they reclaimed their name.

Then what specifically are the guidelines?  If dissolving the corps is not enough, what else must be done to differentiate?

• Can no one ever use the name "Cadets" (which is the most common name in drum corps history)?
• Can no one ever use a maroon and gold color scheme?
• Are military style uniforms off limits?  Shakos?  Citation cords?  Cumberbunds?  Chevrons?  Will other corps like Phantom Regiment get swept up in this purge?
• Can no new corps be formed in New Jersey?  Must we eliminate the ones we still have?  Is that where Jersey Surf went?
• Can no alumni of the Cadets ever be involved in administering, designing or teaching for a new corps?
• Can we no longer have corps directors who serially - oh, never mind, that would be a legitimate distinguishing factor we could all agree on.

Maybe if reclaiming the Cadet name, DCI membership and revenue sharing status was on the table... but that is not possible. 

Legacy would be a new corps SoundSport team, which at best could have a sufficiently successful first season that enables them to enter into a 3-year plan to become an open-class corps.  There, they would toil on without adequate revenue sharing or show access for many years, waiting for world-class attrition to make DCI amenable to promoting someone from open-class to prospective membership.  That is already far harsher punishment than George Hopkins has received.

well those that needed to testify decided not to, and the judge had their hands tied by the law on what they could do.

[craiga]

4 hours ago, cixelsyd said:

Does a bankruptcy court have the authority to make such an order?  Thinking back to when the Boston Crusaders were bankrupted in 1982, they merely removed "Crusaders" from their name and went right on wearing the same uniforms and competing in the same circuits for nearly three years, at which point they reclaimed their name.

Then what specifically are the guidelines?  If dissolving the corps is not enough, what else must be done to differentiate?

• Can no one ever use the name "Cadets" (which is the most common name in drum corps history)?
• Can no one ever use a maroon and gold color scheme?
• Are military style uniforms off limits?  Shakos?  Citation cords?  Cumberbunds?  Chevrons?  Will other corps like Phantom Regiment get swept up in this purge?
• Can no new corps be formed in New Jersey?  Must we eliminate the ones we still have?  Is that where Jersey Surf went?
• Can no alumni of the Cadets ever be involved in administering, designing or teaching for a new corps?
• Can we no longer have corps directors who serially - oh, never mind, that would be a legitimate distinguishing factor we could all agree on.

Maybe if reclaiming the Cadet name, DCI membership and revenue sharing status was on the table... but that is not possible. 

Legacy would be a new corps SoundSport team, which at best could have a sufficiently successful first season that enables them to enter into a 3-year plan to become an open-class corps.  There, they would toil on without adequate revenue sharing or show access for many years, waiting for world-class attrition to make DCI amenable to promoting someone from open-class to prospective membership.  That is already far harsher punishment than George Hopkins has received.

The Boston Crusaders situation was not comparable to the Cadets. Bankruptcy court is not the issue here.   Unlike BAC, the Cadets are a defendant in civil litigation  relating to sexual harassment and worse.  It is THAT  court case which could place Legacy in jeopardy since the judge already ruled that any future organizations adopting  Cadets history, iconography or imagery may also be liable for the civil penalties. 

They're taking a heck of a chance, imo.

[Tim K]

I'm not a lawyer though I've watched very episode of "Law and Order" multiple times and most episodes of "Law and Order SVU," so at time I feel like I'm a detective, judge, and lawyer, so that's the basis of my legal expertise.

Did the judge in the Cadets case overstep his/her authority. It sounds like that's the case since this was a bankruptcy court and not a criminal court, but it depends on the law where the trial took place. While one poster (dcifanforlife) mentioned that those organizing Legacy has "purchased" some of the concerns mentioned by Crown 1990, will it stand if the situation is challenged and will court cases be the best use of funds? I understand loyal alums of the Cadets want the "legacy" of the corps to continue, and I understand those who want to show that the Cadets is more than its tragic ending, but I don't see that happening. The other questions would be will fans see it as a legacy of the Cadets and will young people know enough about the historical Cadets to want to join?

[cixelsyd]

13 hours ago, craiga said:

Bankruptcy court is not the issue here.

That was my previous understanding... which is what prompted my question.