The most CONTROVERSIAL second place show ever…

[jwillis35]

Just my opinion but I think Garfield Cadets v Santa Clara Vanguard in 1987 was probably the most controversial. There are many. Star vs Cadets in 1993. 27th Lancers vs Blue Devils in 1980. Even some of the ties were controversial. Phantom vs BD in 1996. Cadets vs Cavaliers in 2000. Bluecoats vs Blue Devils in 2019. There are many. 

[kevingamin]

22 hours ago, wolfgang said:

So I'll go back to square one. In 1972 when Anaheim Kingsmen came from behind and won the first finals, was that controversial for the second place corps?

Ahh, but they were 3rd in Prelims. Blue Stars were second both nights.

[Hook'emCavies]

...... 1991 lol

[Zeke]

2 hours ago, Hook'emCavies said:

...... 1991 lol

Was it though? All during Tour that Summer it was Star was the one to beat.

 

[Tim K]

On 10/9/2025 at 11:17 PM, wolfgang said:

So I'll go back to square one. In 1972 when Anaheim Kingsmen came from behind and won the first finals, was that controversial for the second place corps?

I was only 9 years old in the summer of 1972 and didn’t follow drum corps yet, but I recall either hearing or reading there were some who questioned some of the Kingsmen’s first place finishes. I know George Bonfiglio questioned Kingsmen’s win at CYO Nationals and after a quick search on DCX prior to finals Kingsmen had not topped Santa Clara or Blue Stars.

[Jeff Ream]

On 10/10/2025 at 4:38 PM, Lance said:

opinions about bd's win in 2010 was about as close to consensual among dci fans as i've ever seen.  

i wouldn't say 10 was controversial. Highly unpopular yes

[perc2100]

On 10/11/2025 at 9:32 AM, Zeke said:

Was it though? All during Tour that Summer it was Star was the one to beat.

 

Yeah, 1991 was my first year following drum corps/going to live shows, and my recollection was that people were pretty behind Star, and they were the corps to beat.  It must've been a blast as a fan going into Finals week, when everyone in the Top 3 had never won a DCI Championship before so it was almost certainly a 'New' DCI Champion being crowned!  I think it's safe to say in 1991 all of the Top 3 were pretty popular (add in #4 Blue Devils as well; I heard plenty of stories that there were some...complaints...about Cadets' show, several of which were over the racist variety down south), so depending on whom you talk to one may think Star beating their favorite other Midwest corps was 'controversial' but I think broadly Star was pretty well-liked

[boxingfred]

On 10/9/2025 at 4:25 PM, Jeff Ream said:

if you believe being booed affected the judges and what they did, wow.

It was the booing, and everything that surrounded the whole incident. Where you there?

[Jeff Ream]

11 hours ago, boxingfred said:

It was the booing, and everything that surrounded the whole incident. Where you there?

no. `but judges don't take crowd reaction into account. if they did, BD would have a lot less rings

[Jeff Ream]

On 10/10/2025 at 7:39 PM, jwillis35 said:

Just my opinion but I think Garfield Cadets v Santa Clara Vanguard in 1987 was probably the most controversial. There are many. Star vs Cadets in 1993. 27th Lancers vs Blue Devils in 1980. Even some of the ties were controversial. Phantom vs BD in 1996. Cadets vs Cavaliers in 2000. Bluecoats vs Blue Devils in 2019. There are many. 

87...the perfect percussion score. yeah that one still gets discussed.