In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. Im angry. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. George Hopkins, former director of Allentown's elite Cadets drum and bugle corps, pleaded no contest to indecent assault after an Inquirer investigation revealed years of misconduct. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Updated Nov 13, 2018. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from one victim who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010 at age 26, and who provided her account to The Inquirer in 2018. YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. On July 4, 1986 the Cadets performed as a part of the Liberty Weekend celebrating both the hundredth anniversary and the restoration of the Statue of Liberty. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). There was an error processing your request. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. Berry cited precedent in which a federal court found that the defense had not exhausted all other avenues for getting information before a media outlet was forced to hand over an interview. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. The decision to leave wasnt easy, especially since the messaging within the organization encourages members to deal with the hardships or be seen as weak. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. 2; Steve Vickers, ed. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. "This is a painful moment for all those who care about The Cadets," Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that runs The Cadets, said in a statement on its website. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! 93 (Mvts. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. You have permission to edit this article. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. The YEA! [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! Its a very difficult question, Anthony said. Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Follow More from Medium Mark. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. 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. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. The Troopers and other corps under the Drum Corps International umbrella are now left to reckon with the allegations brought against them on a deeper level, beyond personnel. 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"). [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. and only for this show no black uniform. 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. Consent matters.. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. Renowned drum corps leader resigns amid abuse allegations. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. There was upset from some people, as you can see, and others saw the progression as an effort to maintain the Cadets as an organization steeped in tradition but also very, very progressive when it came to new ideas, new concepts, and fresh presentations. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. George Hopkins pleaded no contest in Lehigh. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! 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! "[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. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. 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. 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? There was a problem saving your notification. Some people may be able to give 12 hours a day to the cause, and that is great for them and you, but my life is outside of YEA! The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Cadets was one of the thirteen founding corps of Drum Corps International (DCI), is a ten-time DCI World Champion, and is the oldest continuously active junior drum and bugle corps in North America.[1]. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. All Rights Reserved. We could soon find out, A windy, cloudy Saturday for the Lehigh Valley, but the sun will come out tomorrow, Six years after hazing death, Penn State plans to drop the Greek life oversight it championed. 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. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. One former Youth Education in the Arts employee who spoke to Philly.com on condition that she was identified only by her first name, Marie, said Hopkins routinely harassed and assaulted her at work. Folks were upset, nothing new, but this time, the anger took a more aggressive approach. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . Calhoun marched in 2016 and 2017 before leaving the corps in July of his second year in the midst of mental and physical illness, compounded by the rigors of tour. Instead, Beyer is very much in the public eye, and the defense is asking to see the entire video interview, not a reporters notes, he said. (CAE). She said Hopkins' denials on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 he complained he had been smeared were a constant source of anxiety. 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. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. 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. As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. The Inquirer is telling me I need to go to another source, and there isnt one, he argued. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. He's due back in court in February. This action was taken in reaction to the rigid, inflexible rules of the American Legion and VFW (the primary rule makers and sponsors of both corps and shows) and the low or nonexistent performance fees paid for appearing in the various competitions. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 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. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Morning Call reporter Laurie Mason Schroeder can be reached at 610-820-6506 or lmason@mcall.com. George Hopkins. 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. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. "And he did it anyway. [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. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . {{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. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Man missing since 2021 was murdered, co-worker arrested: DA, Brian Laundrie was 'emotional bully,' Petito family lawsuit says, Pa. woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! Through his attorney, Hopkins denied "any nonconsensual relations" with the sisters and also denied having "any relations whatsoever" with Lee Ann Riley while she was a minor. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. 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. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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.". The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. to recruit potential members is a Cadet legend. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. [22][23], At the annual World Championship Finals, Drum Corps International (DCI) presents awards to the corps with the high average scores from prelims, semifinals, and finals in five captions. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). You have permission to edit this article. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. 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. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. In 2022, The Cadets entered into a partnership with the Erie Sports Center as the new spring training site for the corps' May-June rehearsals. A few times in my life I have tried to work with an executive assistant. Edwin Garrity of the Holy Name Catholic parish in Garfield, New Jersey founded the Holy Name Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 1934 as an activity for the boys in the parish. You have permission to edit this article. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. CEO while denying the allegations. And those folks do it without flinching. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . 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. Success! In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. 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. 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. I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". The woman addressed Anthony in court, telling him of years of fear, shame, and depression as a result of the crime, which she did not immediately report. Consent matters.. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. In 1998, the corps rebranded once again, dropping any reference to locale from its name and becoming simply The Cadets. At 192 beats per minute.. 253 votes, 88 comments. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' Twelve women have told the Inquirer they were sexually harassed or abused by Hopkins over the nearly four decades he served as director of Allentown's famed Cadets, years during which he achieved rock-star-like status in the activity. Error! It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Beyer, who said Hopkins assaulted her after she went to work for the corps, watched his plea and sentencing Thursday, but did not speak in court. Marie J DiDomenico Dont listen to them Steven, its the guard. George Hopkins, the director of The Cadets, talks about the 2017 show, "The Faithful, The Fallen, The Forgiven." George talks about the process of designing the show, the use of the singers, the three different uniforms worn by the corps, and about the issues the activity is facing around amplification The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. And I never said no. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. One in four trooper positions are vacant. Chief Deputy District Attorney Matthew Falk said the woman in the 2008 allegation decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that.. George Hopkins, former director of Allentown's elite Cadets drum and bugle corps, pleaded no contest to indecent assault after an Inquirer investigation revealed years of misconduct. A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. In the criminal case, prosecutors allege Hopkins, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, sexually assaulted a former employee at his Allentown apartment after they met at a bar to discuss drum corps rules. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Not just for [the victim], but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, the judge said. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. 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. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. This is our director.". The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. George Hopkins, who also ran the youth arts education nonprofit that operates the Cadets program, pleaded no contest to the charges in 2020 and is now serving two years of probation. You need to make sure that you are taking care of them. 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. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. On April 5, 2018, allegations were made in published reports that the longstanding corps director, George Hopkins, sexually harassed or abused multiple members of the corps and staff over a period of years. The. 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. The rehearsal and performance grind wore him down, and he got little help from Jackson a former nurse aside from recommendations to drink coconut water and sit out a few reps.
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