george hopkins cadets

Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. . Its clear from the video that its been edited, and that the Inquirer has chosen to show only portions of the interview, he said. All Rights Reserved. money, and members. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. In 1940, the Cadets won the American Legion Junior National Championship in Boston, the first of a record nine Legion titles the corps would win between 1940 and 1964. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. In response to a question from Anthony, Berry said the paper would hand over the full video recording for the judges review only, if that was the courts ruling. Cadets are in troubleGH loves it that way.He wants there to be no Cadets if something happens to him.Cadets are in trouble for the FUTURE!!! to recruit potential members is a Cadet legend. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. He began as Director in 1983 Hopkins was also charged with sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown; that charge was dropped as part of an agreement that led to Thursdays plea. 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. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. There was a problem saving your notification. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. The. [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. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. This is art. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? 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. Defense attorney Thomas Bergstrom had previously filed a motion asking that The Philadelphia Inquirer provide the full and unedited video interview with one of Hopkins accusers that it had produced and published online. The parent organization of the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps has settled part of a lawsuit by its former CEO George Hopkins over his salary and benefits after he was fired in the wake. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one day off per month. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. These sort of militaristic rituals, paired with constant reminders about how grateful members should be for their spot on the corps, foster a culture of negligence that came to light last month when several former members went public with allegations, leading to the resignation of former corps director Kristy Jackson. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. "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. Prosecutor Matthew Falk, the offices chef deputy district attorney, said Beyer, the woman in the allegation dating to 2008, decided that not pursuing these charges are in her best interest, and we support her in that. The victim in the 2010 assault has asked not to be named. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. 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. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. [2][3][4], In 1972, the Garfield Cadets, along with the nine other corps from the Alliance and the Midwest Combine, plus the Anaheim Kingsmen, Argonne Rebels, and De La Salle Oaklands were founding members of Drum Corps International, which remains as the sanctioning body for junior corps in North America. There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. {{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. Error! Former Cadet Lee Ann Riley said she was 17 when Hopkins, then 23, forced himself on her and had sex with her. 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. Please subscribe to keep reading. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. 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! At one point, a staff member called members of his section worthless to their faces, because they couldnt march without passing out from untended injuries. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. I am not a Trooper, Im just a sack of meat, just sitting on the ground being worthless.. In her 2018 account to The Inquirer, that woman, Jessica Beyer, said she had marched with the Cadets and was hired to work for the group the following year at age 22. As a member of MAASINs whistleblowing committee, Calhoun helped compile six reports and publicized them in January. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. 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. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. 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. Its a very difficult question, Anthony said. Fine time to ask me now. 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This amount of the lawsuit included recovery for lost sponsorships and pledged donations to The Cadets and YEA!, a major loss of participants in the US Bands program, as well as legal fees incurred due to the scandal. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. The Troopers Alumni band open during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. 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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. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. also sponsored the recently inactive 2016 DCA Champion Cadets2 Drum Corps, 2014 WGI Independent Open Champion Cadets Winter Percussion, and Cadets Winter Guard; USBands (formerly United States Scholastic Band Association); the Urban Arts Center of the Lehigh Valley, which included the Xcape Dance Studio.[18]. Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. On Wednesday, he told Lehigh County Judge James Anthony that the Inquirer has refused to provide the full video. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . 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. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. There was a problem saving your notification. But no one is irreplaceable. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. In addition, YEA! to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Calhoun ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. 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.. After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. George Hopkins, the former director of the renowned Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps, appeared in a Lehigh County courtroom Tuesday morning and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on . All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. 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. Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. Thank you again for the opportunity and best of luck. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? (CAE). Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. 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. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. Many of the women who spoke to Philly.com said they felt empowered to come forward by the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct that has toppled powerful men in news and entertainment. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. 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Marie J DiDomenico Dont listen to them Steven, its the guard. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. 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. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli GH doesnt love the CADET Organisation he made himself an empire..to support him with his RV and 200K salary plus all the other extras.Laughing at everyone all the way to the bank.. Laura Masker I am not disagreeing with you as far as GH is concerned. 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. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. Follow More from Medium Mark. He watched as several other members suffered avoidable injuries from being overworked with little rest. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. You have permission to edit this article. On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. ; Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00, United States Scholastic Band Association, "corpsreps.com The Drum Corps Repertoire Database", "Determination: Believing in the Midwest Combine", "Bang the Drum Slowly: A Championship Drum and Bugle Corps Leaves the State", "The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps: A history of alleged sexual abuse", "Statement from the Board of Directors of Youth Education in the Arts", "YEA! Im angry. 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. Youth Education in. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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"). There was an error processing your request. I want to see what else is in that video that is dramatically different than what she told detectives two months later, Bergstrom said. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts & Entertainment Inc. in May, stating it had lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations, and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public in the 2018 Inquirer account. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He joined the staff of the Cadets in 1979 as percussion instructor and arranger, moving up to become Assistant Director under Dr. Santo . Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. The Cadets won additional DCI championships in 2005 and 2011, the corps' ninth and tenth in forty seasons.[3]. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Hopkins was forced out as director of the . An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. 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? Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. 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. The judge opined that this situation is very different than, say, a defendants statement to police, a full copy of which would be made available to the defense by the prosecution. This is our director.". Hopkins, George. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. 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. Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. 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 . April 13, 2018. . Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. 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. Free Access to this video! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. And those folks do it without flinching. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. 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. An order filed Tuesday in. The defense maintains that the video is very different than what Beyer later told investigators and that the entire video is necessary to mount a proper defense. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. 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 1971, the Cadets marched a show they called, "No More War"; at VFW Nationals in Dallas. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. As part of the plea deal, prosecutors withdrew two charges of felony sexual assault and added the indecent assault count, a misdemeanor, to which Hopkins pleaded no contest. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Advertisement Allentown News It comes from the higher-ups, it comes from the admin, it comes from the board of directors, it comes from the staff, the caption staff, the people that are in charge of putting on the show. 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]. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. 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. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. Allentown Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. in May, stating they lost $1.5 million in sponsorships, donations and ticket sales after the allegations against Hopkins were made public. 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. 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. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. The City of Erie welcomed The Cadets with open arms, offering access to local business relationships, services, volunteers, and new opportunities for funding and partnerships. 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. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. 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.

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