The Cadets Drum Corps (formerly the Holy Name Cadets, Cadets of Garfield, Garfield Cadets, and Cadets of Bergen County) is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps. Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. Youth Education in. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. CEO while denying the allegations. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. But this isnt the military. George Hopkins, the former CEO of the Allentown-based Youth Education in the Arts, faces three felony counts of sexual assault for allegedly assaulting two former employees. It said it was reaching out to Youth Education in the Arts, and also planned an internal review to see whether any current members of the DCI staff knew about the allegations and failed to report them. I want to see what else is in that video that is dramatically different than what she told detectives two months later, Bergstrom said. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . 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. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. YEA! The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. 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. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. Advertisement Allentown News Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by numerous women in a 2018 Philadelphia Inquirer article, and was criminally charged in connection with two alleged incidents later that year. II, III, & IV) by, The Pines of the Appian Way & The Pines of Villa Borghese by, Devotions: Kyrie Eleison, Simple Song, De Profundis, Agnus Dei, Things Get Broken, Pax: Communion, and Offeratory (all from Mass by Leonard Bernstein) with incidental music by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst & Omar Carmenates, O Holy Name (Traditional) / Opening Scene by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst, and Omar Carmenates / Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel / Sensemaya by, Adrenaline City by Adam Gorb / St. Louis Blues by, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990 (tie), 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1983, 1984 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1990 (tie), 1993, 1998, 1983, 1984 (3-way tie), 1985 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1995 (3-way tie), This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00. Hopkins, George. [13] The corps' compliance with the terms of probation was sufficient for DCI to allow the corps to compete in 2018, and the probation was lifted in May 2019. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. 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. ACLU says it could take legal action over Saucon Valley School District rescinding approval for After School Satan Club, Big rig crashes from I-81 bridge onto street below in Schuylkill, 'He was a very humble guy': Reading High soccer coach remembers player killed in Route 33 crash, Eat, Sip, Shop: Refresh your ride at new Lehigh County store, selling high-quality car detailing products, Former Allentown Cadets director issues statement claiming innocence, Charges filed against former Allentown Cadets director, Investigation into YEA sexual misconduct allegations complete, Report clears former YEA interim CEO of wrongdoing, YEA! Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. There was a problem saving your notification. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. He resigned his position in April 2018, but the YEA board rejected his resignation and fired him, citing the sexual misconduct allegations lodged against him. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. Updated Nov 13, 2018. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. In written remarks later directed at Hopkins, she said she had joined the Cadets bright-eyed, eager, and innocently believing that through hard work and integrity most things were possible., Instead, she said, working for the Cadets meant being subjected to verbal and sexual abuse. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. "I just kept saying no, don't do this, I don't want to do this," said Marie, who said she went by her middle name at work. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls, California residents do not sell my data request. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. The women are among roughly a dozen connected to the Cadets organization who say they were sexually assaulted by Hopkins dating back to the 1980s. "[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. An order filed Tuesday in. But even after he was let go, Connell said he was still allowed around corps members who knew what had happened and had reported him to the administration because he was the organizations connection to the housing site where they were staying. Marching as the Cadets of Garfield; wearing uniforms of white shorts, red golf shirts, and "Aussie" hats; and using instruments borrowed from the Chicago Cavaliers, the corps managed to finish in second place (one spot ahead of the defending champion Cavaliers). 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 Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by nine women in a 2018 Inquirer article. YEA! She said the memories can, at times, still knock the wind out of me, but I get up., I dont just get up and go to work to hide my pain and put the abuse behind me, she wrote. says every person associated with its drum corps programs must sign a code of conduct, , There's another twist in the ongoing investigation over sexual assault allegations targeting, Documents obtained by 69 News appear to show former Youth Education in the Arts CEO and Alle, The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle , The organization that oversees Allentown's famed Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. Consent matters.. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. 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. "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Success! Its credits include the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, a reality TV show and "Late Night with David Letterman.". Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 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. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. Newspapers publish newsworthy items all the time, and they cant be dragged into court every single time a defense attorney wants to know what other information is out there, Berry said. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. I cried a little bit," she recalled. 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! 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. 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. 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. 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.