Falk said the women were in agreement with the plea deal. In 2003, Yea! In 198385, the Garfield Cadets became the first DCI corps to earn a three-peatthree consecutive DCI titles. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. 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. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. Cadets Does it Matter What You Wear? | by George Hopkins - Medium I am not a Trooper, Im just a sack of meat, just sitting on the ground being worthless.. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. 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. 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. The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps - Wikipedia In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. 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. In 1996, sponsorship of the corps was passed to Youth Education in the Arts (YEA), an umbrella organization sponsoring several youth and musical activities. Falk said the victims were in agreement with the plea negotiation. Ex-Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins waives hearing on sexual There are so many other things that Ive witnessed as a marching member, but theyre not my stories to tell, Connell said. The Cadets Drum Corps -The Three Peat | by George Hopkins | Medium The dozen women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. Im angry. April 13, 2018. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. [20] A new Board of Directors was established, led by former CEO and Cadets Director Denise Bonfiglio. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. You have permission to edit this article. If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. 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. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Im angry. Drum and bugle corps perform intricate routines that incorporate music, marching, dance and color guards. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. There was an error processing your request. Second, I want to thank the USBands team for their hard work. One possible side effect of the frigid temps? YEA! She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. 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. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. 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. Two more women say they were raped by Cadets' George Hopkins - Inquirer.com George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation Exercise was often used as punishment for messing up. (CAE). 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. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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! CEO while denying the allegations. 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"). agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. 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. "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.". Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. Report clears former Cadets employee ensnared in boss's sexual Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana A few times in my life I have tried to work with an executive assistant. 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. 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. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? These PEOPLE are your most important asset. Chapter 5 Staff changes and letters to the board of directors . 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. 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. Allentown Cadets director resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Cadets official statement. George Hopkins has resigned. "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. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Advertisement Allentown News [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. The Cadets - Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins A | Facebook Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny 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. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. In 1969, the corps became coed. 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. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. Hopkins, 63, is awaiting trial on three counts of felony sexual assault. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. YEA! he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. 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 similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) 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. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. The DCI.org interview: George Hopkins Even snow plows and emergency vehicles were. George Hopkins. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. 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. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. 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. 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!!! Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in - lehighvalleylive I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . 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 . Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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.. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. Wij, Yahoo, maken deel uit van de Yahoo-merkenfamilie. 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. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. George Hopkins - Founder - 11 Rings | LinkedIn Defense in sex assault case wants newspaper to hand over accuser's Success! 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. They became the 507 Hornets -- I marched there from 1971-1974. People are using more water. 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. 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. [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. 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. 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. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, 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. 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. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. 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. This is our director.". The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. 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. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. Awaiting trial for sex assault, former Allentown bugle corps director 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. 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. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. 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 Executive Director, Youth Education in the Arts Director, nine-time DCI World Championship Cadets D&B Corps Social Studies Teacher: Aston Township HS (PA) 1979-80 Band Director: Northern Highlands High School (NJ), 1984 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. YEA! 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. To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). You have permission to edit this article. 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.
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