The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. [9] Claiming to have received no letter of resignation, the new board terminated Hopkins for cause. April 13, 2018. ; 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! Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation, he could be sent to a state prison. Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. 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The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana 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. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Im angry. YEA! All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. In a high-profile case that came to light in 2018, a former director of the Allentown Cadets was accused of sexual misconduct ranging from verbal harassment to rape by 12 women, several of them former corps members. 93 (Mvts. Please subscribe to keep reading. Hopkins' accusers ranged from 16 to 37 at the time of the abuse and harassment they say they endured, including three who were members of The Cadets and five who worked for Youth Education in the Arts, the parent organization that Hopkins also led as chief executive officer until his resignation. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. "Dear George Hopkins, This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. 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. [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. Fine time to ask me now. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". . 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. Vicki Ferrence Ray, Interim Executive Director of CAE, subsequently signed an agreement to make the Erie Sports Center The Cadets' year-round home. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. reached a settlement in January 2019. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. 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. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. The charges are second-degree felonies. There was an error processing your request. Crews were actively searching for people who were trapped, but having a hard time getting to them. 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. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. CEO while denying the allegations. 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? Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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 is art. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Consent matters.. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. 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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. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. 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. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. The charge to which Hopkins pleaded no contest stemmed from a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in 2010. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, 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. Im angry. Not someone who wants to be an assistant. 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. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. 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. A six-month investigation into Allentown's Youth Education in the Arts is now complete. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. 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. A few times in my life I have tried to work with an executive assistant. [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. CEO while denying the 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. 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! He began as Director in 1983 Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer 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. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. In 2003, Yea! how enemies came to be friends. 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. One possible side effect of the frigid temps? How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? 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 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In addition, YEA! The prosecution on Wednesday did not take a position on the defenses request. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. 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. 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. 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. 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, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. 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. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. : p or should it be, willing away the cash cow?Someone sold our souls to this legacy (too) many years ago. 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. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it.. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. [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. Cc: Youth Education in the Arts Board of Directors. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. 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 . 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. A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. George Hopkins. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. I was just going to say, check his will! Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. The judge did question how the defense would know if the witness impeached her own testimony on the stand, if it didnt know ahead of time what she may have said in an earlier interview. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. Did march in the band at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for one year. 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. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's video interview, George Hopkins' defense attorney wants access to the Philadelphia Inquirer's unedited video, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. He joined the staff of the Cadets in 1979 as percussion instructor and arranger, moving up to become Assistant Director under Dr. Santo . But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. Shortly after, more victims came forward, and the accounts of two of these women became the basis of the criminal charges brought in November 2018.

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