Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Steven Chirichella Richie has his gold uniform on him in his eternity as he lies in the heavens dont turn him blackplease oh Holy Name. To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. All Rights Reserved. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. He's due back in court in February. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. A statement issued late Thursday night by the YEA board of directors, the organization that operates The Cadets, an elite drum and bugle corps, said CEO George Hopkins denies the allegations but . An order filed Tuesday in. Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment, he sued the organization for more than $580,000. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, and Hopkins pleaded no contest to that charge. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. [6] The only junior drum and bugle corps older than The Cadets is the Racine Scouts, which was founded in 1927. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. 93 (Mvts. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. GEORGE HOPKINS 1983 - present George Hopkins, better known as "Hop" to his friends and marching Cadets, is the current Director of our corps, as well as the longest serving (25 years and still going strong). Charges were filed against Hopkins in November 2018, months after Youth Education in the Arts launched an investigation after about a dozen women accused Hopkins of sexual misconduct. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly a dozen women, pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was. But no one is irreplaceable. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. In addition, YEA! People are using more water. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! National Park Service encourages folks to never push a slower friend down in bear encounters, Jillian Balow, former Wyoming schools superintendent, resigns from new job in Virginia, Pressure on House speaker intensifies as Hageman, national voices weigh in, Wyoming's Jeff Linder coaching his heart out for his dad, seniors Hunter Maldonado and Hunter Thompson, Officials investigating death in Converse County, KFC is bringing back a fan favorite after a nearly 10-year hiatus, Wyoming man admits to double murder, avoids possible death penalty, 2023 Wyoming State High School Boys Wrestling Championships results, Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help, Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps director resigns after allegations of unsafe culture, poor conditions, New Lutheran college in Casper announces academic dean. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. As presented, the Cadets did turn to Black renditions of the Cadets uniforms at the end of 2015. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said, READ MORE: Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls. Four months after the director of Allentown's famed Cadets drum corps, George Hopkins, resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal, the spotlight has now turned on another, smaller corps Pioneer of Milwaukee. I get up because Ive done the work to make myself whole and understand the evil that was done to me was not because of me, but because of you.. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets and CEO of Youth Education in the Arts who separated from the organization after being accused of sexually harassing nine women, is suing YEA for more than $580,000 in severance pay. For more than 30 years, George Hopkins has been a major proponent of changes in instrumentation, education and contest guidelines, such as initiating the use of band instruments, electronics, removal of sidelines and other alternatives. In February 2023, CAE announced a long-term partnership with the Erie Sports Center, resulting in a decision to move The Cadets and all operations of CAE to Erie, Pa. The Troopers Alumni band open during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Fine time to ask me now. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? And those folks do it without flinching. for more than $650,000 in severance and back pay, the organization filed a counter-suit against the former director for $1.5 million in losses which it alleges to have lost due to the sexual misconduct scandal. The members and staff, however, were not willing to cease the corps operations, and reorganized as a new organization, even though the parish kept the uniforms and instruments. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Hopkins was forced out as director of the . . I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Board of Directors Resigns, New Board to Guide Organization", "Former drum corps director George Hopkins charged with sexual assault", "Finding no resignation letter, YEA board fired Hopkins with no severance", "DCI action on YEA! Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. and USBands affects the lives of tens of thousands of students each year and I feel humbled to have played a small part in that. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. Its clear from the video that its been edited, and that the Inquirer has chosen to show only portions of the interview, he said. There was an error processing your request. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. ALLENTOWN, Pa. | The defense attorney for the former drum corps director accused of sexual assault is demanding that a newspaper turn over its unedited video interview of his clients accuser in order to prepare a proper defense. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. CEO while denying the allegations. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. There was a problem saving your notification. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. "[12] As a part of the terms of probation, the corps' reassessed their planned travel to the West Coast to open the season, and instead decided to proceed with a schedule redrawn for East Coast shows. The 36-year-old woman addressed Anthony and spoke about years of fear, shame and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. Youth in Education in the Arts has issued a second statement on Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins' resignation that came after a Philadelphia Inquirer article on sexual allegations. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. The Alliance members felt that the corps should be making their own rules, operating their own competitions and championships, and keeping the bulk of the monies those shows earned. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. It took a summer without performances, said Connell, for people to step back and realize that what they thought was tough love was actually systemic negligence. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. Morning call file photo/Special to The Morning Call, Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him disgusting, Trump supporters who drove Hummer with guns and ammo to Philadelphia vote-counting site spared more jail time, Paul Muschick: Would money motivate Pennsylvania businesses to move to a four-day work week? Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. In 1969, the corps became coed. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. [10] The organization also hired a Chicago labor and employment law firm, Franczek Radelet, to investigate the accusations against Hopkins as well as YEA!s policies and procedures for providing a safe environment for youth members, employees, and volunteers. Fifteen years before nine women stepped forward to accuse drum corps leader George Hopkins of sexual abuse, a long-time critic says he warned the director of the activity's governing body of questionable behavior by Hopkins, but was dismissed. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Crews contend with tons of snow as they work to reopen I-80, Powell sisters die in crash with semi-truck, Long shifts, odd calls, brutal weather: inside the Wyoming Highway Patrol staffing shortage, Ex-Casper doctor imprisoned for sexually assaulting patients released years early, Lovell steps up after local sportswriter dies from car crash injuries. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. George Hopkins, longtime director of the Cadets drum corps, resigns after sexual misconduct allegations April 6, 2018, 7:20 AM The decorated director of The Cadets drum and bugle corps. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. . Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com. This is art. Youth Education in. I just felt like, Well, youre right. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. And I never said no. 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Senate vote, Reading Area Water Authority looking for leak on North Heidelberg Township line, Former Penn State Berks soccer player among dead in violent Monroe County crash, Biden expected to tighten rules on US investment in China, Paid express lanes grow more popular in once-reluctant South, Ukraine ally Kallas fights for reelection in Estonia vote, In Chicago, adapting electric buses to winters challenges, Pot vote has Oklahoma hungry to rake in green from Texas, Global race to boost electric vehicle range in cold weather, In Britain, warm hubs emerge to beat soaring energy costs, 6 Nigerian states drop suit to void presidential vote result, The implications of Walgreens' decision on abortion pills, What the Tech? George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had accused him of sexual harassment or abuse. After a great experience his first year, Calhoun said he was looking forward to coming back in 2017, even as some changes in his personal life took a toll on his mental health. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. As promised, here is Part 1, of an eight part interview/discussion with the designers and teachers of the Cadets 1983-84-85, the holders of the first Drum Corps International three-peat, and . The investigation into Hopkins conduct found he had little oversight from the Cadets board, giving him the freedom to throw things when angry in rehearsals, refer to women as little girls, and send inappropriate sexual emails on the organizations server. that title. But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Thats if they make it onto the corps which is decided over several monthly training camps, between which corps hopefuls have to complete video assignments and track their diet and exercise. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. At the first DCI World Championships in Whitewater, Wisconsin, the Cadets just missed making Finals and finished in thirteenth place in a competition that featured thirty-nine corps from the East, the South, the West Coast, the Midwest and Great Plains, and Canada. The reasons why may be about more than money. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. Also in 1971, the Garfield Cadets, along with the 27th Lancers, Boston Crusaders, Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights, and Blue Rock, formed the United Organization of Junior Corps (also known as the "Alliance"). won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by nearly a dozen women, pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation in Lehigh County Court on Thursday. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. For those of you who do not follow the drum corps news, George Hopkins recently resigned as the director of the Cadets because of sexual misconduct allegations from nine women. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The Cadets have won these caption awards:[25], John Brazale Best Visual Performance Award, George Zingali Best Color Guard Performance Award, Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. George Hopkins, the former director of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps who was accused of sexual misconduct by a dozen women, pleaded no contest on Thursday to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years of probation.