[20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. The. This time, people considered dramatic steps to change the face of the Cadets and for all time, to shift the trajectory of the most honored drum and bugle corps in history. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. 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). (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . and only for this show no black uniform. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. 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. established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. Cc: Youth Education in the Arts Board of Directors. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. Drum Corps International, the sanctioning body for competition youth drum corps events, said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the allegations against Hopkins. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. Consent matters.. 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. Taught numerous bands. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. 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. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! As one of the only returning baritones, he was offered the section head spot by Jackson but turned it down I thought I didnt deserve it.. The Cadets began operating independently of YEA! "And he did it anyway. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. But with the end of 2015, other changes occured. 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. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. 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. In 1969, the corps became coed. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps members perform during the corps' 50th anniversary gathering in July 2011. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. 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. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. 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. The charges are second-degree felonies. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. You have permission to edit this article. (CAE). But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. In 1998, the corps rebranded once again, dropping any reference to locale from its name and becoming simply The Cadets. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. 253 votes, 88 comments. Crews were actively searching for people who were trapped, but having a hard time getting to them. The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. In his federal lawsuit seeking severance pay and other monies, Hopkins asserts that he resigned from the organization by letter on April 5, and that his departure was "mutually agreed"-upon. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. 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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. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 10 in E minor, Op. Not just for [the victim], but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, the judge said. 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. "We are now opening a new chapter in the storied history of The Cadets by creating a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity guided by the following founding principles: To educate youth from around the globe on the value of teamwork, inclusiveness, kindness, self-expression, and open communication; To create a safe and inclusive environment for all participants; and To enrich lives by teaching critical development skills required for the pursuit of personal excellence.". and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. 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. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . Not someone who wants to be an assistant. 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. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. "There were some tears. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. 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. CEO while denying the allegations. [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. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. This is art. Falk said the women were in agreement with the plea deal. 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. 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). Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. He now is awaiting trial in Lehigh County on charges of sexually assaulting two of the women. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. YEA! By Staff. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- The longtime leader of a champion Pennsylvania-based drum and bugle corps has resigned in the wake of a newspaper report that contained allegations of sexual misconduct spanning nearly four decades. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. 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. 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. Also in '96, the Cadets performed at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. 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. 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