Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. YEA! By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. YEA! Error! 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. 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. There was an error processing your request. Former Cadet Lee Ann Riley said she was 17 when Hopkins, then 23, forced himself on her and had sex with her. 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. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. 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. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. participation in 2018 Summer Tour", "Cadets to forgo west coast portion of 2018 tour", "Ex-director of Allentown drum corps enters plea in sexual assault case", "Former Allentown Cadets band leader pleads no contest to indecent assault; judge calls him 'disgusting', "Drum corps seeks $1.5 million from former director after sexual misconduct scandal", "George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation", "The Cadets Announce Independent Not-For-Profit Youth Organization", https://cadets.org/cadets-announce-move-erie-pa, https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/48381432/erie-sports-center-to-become-permanent-home-for-the-cadets-drum-corps, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Cadets_Drum_and_Bugle_Corps&oldid=1139537566, The Sinfonians by Clifton Williams / Give it One by, Advance of the Sponges by HIGGINS / Left Bank Express by Pete Jackson / Pieces of Dreams by Michel Legrand, Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman / Echano by Chuck Mangione / Strawberry Soup by, Rocky Point Holiday by Ron Nelson / In Nomine Patris, Almighty Father, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, God Said, De Profundis, Part 2 & A Simple Song, Maria, Rumble, Prologue, America, I Have a Love, & Tonight, Jeremiah Symphony, Overture to Candide & Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide), I Dreamed A Dream, At the End of the Day, Look Down, On My Own, Attack on Rue Plumet, Bring Him Home, One Day More & At the Barricades, In the Spring, When Kings Go Off to War; Ballet Sacra & On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss, Dance at the Gym, Mambo, Cha-cha, Cool, Prologue/Rumble, A Boy Like That, Tonight & Finale, The Reivers, Born on the 4th of July, Blowing Off Steam (from Far and Away), Swing, Swing, Swing (from 1941) & Land Race (from Far and Away), The Promise of Living (from Tender Land) by Aaron Copland / Tulsa: A Portrait in Oil by, Tapestry Of Nations, Prologue, Chaos and Meaning, The Sage of Time & The Promise, History Repeating by Alex Gifford / White Rabbit by, Rumble, Prologue, A Boy Like That-I Have A Love, Cool & Tonight, Symphony No. Im angry. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. 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. {{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. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. Error! 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. 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. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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. Vicki Ferrence Ray, Interim Executive Director of CAE, subsequently signed an agreement to make the Erie Sports Center The Cadets' year-round home. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. Rachael Ray Ending After 17 Seasons: Its Time for Me to Move On, Shania Twain 'uncontrollably fragile' after husband's affair, 48 Hours: Natalie Morales Reveals How Social Media Helped Solve Case, Uriah Heep believe they have 'some merit' to be considered for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame entry, Amanda Seyfried wants to a role in movie version of Mean Girls: The Musical, Aaron Taylor-Johnson joins Nosferatu remake. 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. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. Updated Nov 13, 2018. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold 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. 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.. Rescue operations underway as Wyoming blizzard continues to wreak havoc, Applications open for nonprofit 1-cent funding, Global race is on to improve EV range in the cold, Gordon discusses importance of focusing on Wyoming solutions, Moscow reportedly threatened new parents in Ukraine: Register your newborns as Russian or else, The impact of climate change will be felt worse in these three U.S. cities. (YEA), the umbrella group that operates the Cadets and also serves 60,000 marching band . I think from here on out, theres a new level and a new sense of accountability that we as alumni of the Corps are unified in making sure that these experiences dont happen again, said former Troopers color guard member Vanessa Connell. [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. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. They reportedly tried to convince the VFW officials that the peace symbol in their drill was actually the Mercedes-Benz logo. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 19682019). Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! Never thought for once you were a liar!! After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX [email protected] wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. 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. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. Hopkins, 63, was accused of sexual assault and harassment by nine women in a 2018 Inquirer article. 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. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. "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. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? established a hotline for calls to report concerns or complaints.[11]. 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! 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. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. I wholeheartedly believe in the mission and vision of YEA! Hopkins did not testify Thursday. 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. creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. [8] On April 11, the Board of Directors tendered its resignation and a new Board and officers immediately took over operations of the organization. He's due back in court in February. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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. You have permission to edit this article. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. You can cancel at any time. Presidents of our country die Laura Masker-Holland and VP takes over and our country still goes on. Follow More from Medium Mark. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. What is clear ---I need an assistant. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. won with field programs that were, and still are, viewed as ground-breaking. 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. In written remarks later directed at Hopkins, she said she had joined the Cadets bright-eyed, eager, and innocently believing that through hard work and integrity most things were possible., Instead, she said, working for the Cadets meant being subjected to verbal and sexual abuse. 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. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. "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.". You need complete concentration on everything you do because if you dont, you could get someone else hurt or you can hurt yourself, Calhoun said. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. 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. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. 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.. The former, longtime director of the Allentown Cadets competitive marching band entered a plea Thursday in a sexual assault case dating to 2018. With director gone, Troopers now face deep-seated culture of negligence. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. There, she said, he gave her a glass of wine and sexually assaulted her. 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 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. 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. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Consent matters.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. I cried a little bit," she recalled. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. 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. II, III, & IV) by, The Pines of the Appian Way & The Pines of Villa Borghese by, Devotions: Kyrie Eleison, Simple Song, De Profundis, Agnus Dei, Things Get Broken, Pax: Communion, and Offeratory (all from Mass by Leonard Bernstein) with incidental music by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst & Omar Carmenates, O Holy Name (Traditional) / Opening Scene by Drew Shanefield, Tom Aungst, and Omar Carmenates / Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel / Sensemaya by, Adrenaline City by Adam Gorb / St. Louis Blues by, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1990 (tie), 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1983, 1984 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1990 (tie), 1993, 1998, 1983, 1984 (3-way tie), 1985 (tie), 1987 (tie), 1995 (3-way tie), This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 17:00. [16] Hopkins and YEA! But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. ), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. With no 2020 drum corps season, Cadets Arts & Entertainment focused its attention on establishing clear policies, strict safeguards and strategic committees that meet regularly to help guide The Cadets forward. Im angry. Success! If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . In 1969, the corps became coed. Cadets Drum Corps Sep 1982 - Apr 2018 35 years 8 months . The Troopers initially denied wrongdoing, but later issued a statement apologizing for its defensive posture after facing a social media backlash. Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! 2; Steve Vickers, ed. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. There was a problem saving your notification. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. 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. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. 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. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. The Troopers Alumni band open during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. I expect my final paycheck on October 18 which should include the agreed upon amount for moving expenses that has not been paid since starting in February 2017. The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Never marched in high school band. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members.