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. Sean King was named as interim CEO for YEA! The reasons why may be about more than money. "For 86 years, The Cadets have been leaders and innovators in performing arts education," Bonfiglio said. CEO while denying the allegations. 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! The. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. After the allegations surfaced, Hopkins resigned in April and was then fired by a new board of directors. Consent matters.. Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. It wasnt rape, and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. that title. 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. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. 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. [5] In January 2009, The Cadets marched in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". Success! . Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. In both cases, the women say after meeting with Hopkins on business, they were drugged and sexually assaulted. Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. YEA! Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. After roughly a month of trying to leave, Calhoun said he finally did it in July, cutting his touring season short. It carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. You have permission to edit this article. Philly.com reported the alleged misconduct ranged from lewd comments and groping to rape. Its clear from the video that its been edited, and that the Inquirer has chosen to show only portions of the interview, he said. amid sexual allegations, Allentown Cadets board resigns amid allegations against ex-drum corps director, Defense says accused former drums corps director weighing plea deal. Overall, the deficit was about $200,000. 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! I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. Caren Blundetto-Frech John Hannigan, is there more than one child? People are using more water. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving two women. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. as of March 31, 2020. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. 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. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. He resigned from his post in early April amid sexual assault allegations, but the YEA board said it was firing Hopkins. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. You have permission to edit this article. The YEA! "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. separated from YEA and became the nonprofit Cadets Arts and Entertainment Inc. Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. says every person associated with its drum corps programs must sign a code of conduct, , There's another twist in the ongoing investigation over sexual assault allegations targeting, Documents obtained by 69 News appear to show former Youth Education in the Arts CEO and Alle, The investigation into sexual misconduct allegations at the Allentown Cadets drum and bugle , The organization that oversees Allentown's famed Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. "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.". I just felt like, Well, youre right. Brisk with west to northwest winds around 10-20mph gusting to 30mph.. Mostly cloudy with less wind and a few breaks in the clouds overnight. One in four trooper positions are vacant. Since the assault in the apartment occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. 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. An order filed Tuesday in federal court says Hopkins and YEA have reached an agreement. 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. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. 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. The amount of time and effort that is necessary to make certain USBands events are successful is astounding. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Casper Star-Tribune. After the summer of 2020, the first summer in years without a Troopers tour, Ian Calhoun said he started to hear from friends hed made at the corps who were interested in reporting some of their experiences to the advocacy group MAASIN (Marching Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network). After a great experience his first year, Calhoun said he was looking forward to coming back in 2017, even as some changes in his personal life took a toll on his mental health. 93 (Mvts. Updated Nov 13, 2018. Success! Hopkins had worked for The Cadets since 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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). What is clear ---I need an assistant. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! Crews were actively searching for people who were trapped, but having a hard time getting to them. For members of the Casper-based Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, summer is hardly a vacation. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. George Hopkins. [10] On September 22, 2020, Hopkins pleaded no contest to indecent assault and was sentenced to two years probation[14] and fined $5,000. A Chicago law firm has exonerated suspended Youth Education in the Arts employee Sean King. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. 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. 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 . George Hopkins has been charged in Lehigh County with two counts of sexual assault. He joined the staff of the Cadets in 1979 as percussion instructor and arranger, moving up to become Assistant Director under Dr. Santo . Cc: Youth Education in the Arts Board of Directors. But this isnt the military. Its credits include the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, President Barack Obama's first inaugural parade, a reality TV show and "Late Night with David Letterman.". 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. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. In my opinion, its impossible to march drum corps and not be broken in some way when you come out, because its a very rigorous physical and mental activity, said Calhoun, a former baritone. 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. "I never said yes. The Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps lost sponsors, donors and engagements because of sexual misconduct allegations against its then-director George Hopkins. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. 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. "He's like, 'Are you all right?' Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. 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. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. Consent matters.. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. money, and members. Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . "' The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. 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. Error! After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. {{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. 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. All Rights Reserved. In a fast-paced competitive environment like the Troopers, Calhoun said his mental illness problems soon led to physical injuries. ; 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! An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. 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. wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 In addition, YEA! and only for this show no black uniform. Marie J DiDomenico Dont listen to them Steven, its the guard. 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. 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. But no one is irreplaceable. For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! 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. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. As a member of MAASINs whistleblowing committee, Calhoun helped compile six reports and publicized them in January. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. 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). Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. Advertisement Allentown News 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. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. 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. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer To honor their 75th anniversary, the corps was called the Holy Name Cadets for the 2009 season. 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. The negligence comes from a lot of places, Connell said. Wanneer u onze sites en apps gebruikt, gebruiken we, gebruikers authenticeren, veiligheidsmaatregelen toepassen en spam en misbruik voorkomen, en, gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content weergeven op basis van interesseprofielen, de effectiviteit meten van gepersonaliseerde advertenties en content, en, onze producten en services ontwikkelen en verbeteren. The Cadets has long been one of the top programs, attracting teens and young adults from around the world. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. 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. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. In 1971, the Cadets marched a show they called, "No More War"; at VFW Nationals in Dallas. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. After the hearing, Hopkins lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers stories. Fine time to ask me now. READ MORE: Nine women from Allentowns elite Cadets drum corps accuse director George Hopkins of sexual abuse and harassment. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office. 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. You have permission to edit this article. how enemies came to be friends. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. 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. Shes four years removed from the corps now, and married. April 13, 2018. Through his attorney, Hopkins denied "any nonconsensual relations" with the sisters and also denied having "any relations whatsoever" with Lee Ann Riley while she was a minor. His credentials, his experience, his talents, his imagination, and his intellect are formidable. You can cancel at any time. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said, READ MORE: Report: Drum corps leader threw things at work, called women little girls. and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. At 192 beats per minute.. The Scouts, however, have not competed on the field since 2015, making The Cadets the oldest continuously active junior corps. for more than $650,000 in severance and back pay, the organization filed a counter-suit against the former director for $1.5 million in losses which it alleges to have lost due to the sexual misconduct scandal. Steven Chirichella still not the same MarieI feel your thoughts and sure Aunt Nell would be our side. The Cadets of Bergen County won DCI Championships in 1990, '93, '98, and 2000. 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. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. 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 Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. The corps felt that not only were they having their creative potential as artistic performing groups stifled, but they were being financially starved. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. 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. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. The judge set a Dec. 17 hearing on the defenses motion to dismiss the charges. Youth Education in the Arts governs the Allentown Cadets drum corps. 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. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Falk said the women were in agreement with the plea deal. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . 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. 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. In February 2023, CAE announced a long-term partnership with the Erie Sports Center, resulting in a decision to move The Cadets and all operations of CAE to Erie, Pa. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. [16] Hopkins and YEA! On Friday, October 6, 2017, 10:08 PM, XXXX XXXX XXXX@XXXX.com wrote: This letter is to inform you of my resignation as Director of USBands, effective immediately. 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. to recruit potential members is a Cadet legend. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! A six-month investigation into Allentown's Youth Education in the Arts is now complete. Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. [2][3], In 1958, the Holy Name parish declined to support the corps' travel and disbanded the corps. But instead, he encountered a disorganized administrative team that seemed to be improvising on the job. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). 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.
Charlie Cavell Oakland County Commissioner,
Adorama Tax Exemption,
Articles G