How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? as of March 31, 2020. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. Hopkins was also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown in 2008. You can cancel at any time. Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Please subscribe to keep reading. . 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. This is art. 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. 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. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Her twin sister, Linda Riley, also a Cadet, said Hopkins had sex with her without her consent two summers later, when she was 19. [19] On May 1, 2020, The Cadets announced the creation of a new 501(c)3 non-profit organization: Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. 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. Error! Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? 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. For the rest of the force, that means longer hours and fewer days off while earning less than peers . The story of George's van trip to Mississippi and Louisiana Bergstrom said the Inquirer interviewed Jessica Beyer in April 2018 and publicly aired the four to five-minute video. [17], The Cadets was formerly part of Youth Education in the Arts (YEA! Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. The whistleblowers say they went public after receiving a feeble response from the Troopers legal team. 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. An order filed Tuesday in. YEA rejects ex-director's resignation, fires him amid allegations, New twists appear in relation to former Cadets Director George Hopkins, Investigation underway into YEA! This is our director.". If his probation officer recommends it, Hopkins will have to undergo sex offender therapy. Bergstrom argued that the states shield laws do not apply in this case as the Inquirer is not protecting a confidential source or communication. After their third Finals appearance in 1980, the Cadets quickly regained the corps' former championship form. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. The Troopers arent the only prestigious drum corps hit with allegations in recent years. They wanted to shed a light on his behavior and for him to have a criminal record, he said. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. 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. 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. The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 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. CEO while denying the allegations. [2][3], The Garfield Cadets relocated outside Garfield to Hackensack and became the Cadets of Bergen County in 1989. 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. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. Hopkins, 61, has not been charged and denies criminal wrongdoing. George Hopkins, YEA settle civil suit regarding compensation, Stormcenter - School / Business Application. organization was immediately put on a probationary status by DCI with the statement that, "The terms of the probation include multiple steps for YEA! 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. Did march in the band at West Chester University in Pennsylvania for one year. 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. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. Vicki Ferrence Ray, Interim Executive Director of CAE, subsequently signed an agreement to make the Erie Sports Center The Cadets' year-round home. I know this sub loves a good Hop story, so here you go. 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. In a no contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. But I never said yes," said Linda Riley. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. Prior to 2000 and the adoption of the current scoring format, the Cadets won these captions: A History of Drum & Bugle Corps Vol. All Rights Reserved. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. Midway through the 1959 season, the parish allowed the corps to once more wear the uniform that remains their trademark. Success! Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. In 1950, the Cadets went on the road for three weeks in order to defend their Legion title in Los Angeles. : p or should it be, willing away the cash cow?Someone sold our souls to this legacy (too) many years ago. Not just for [the victim], but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, the judge said. 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]. Hopkins earned about $177,000 in 2017, according to the nonprofit's financial statements. money, and members. Falk said the women were in agreement with the plea deal. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! 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. 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 carries the same weight at sentencing as a guilty plea. 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 the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. reached a settlement in January 2019. It is clear that this is not something you are okay with. 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. And those folks do it without flinching. [2][3], In the second half of the Sixties, the Garfield Cadets became more of an also-ran than a champion. Not just for [the victim] but for all the women who are taken advantage of by predators like you, Anthony said. George Hopkins, who led The Cadets to renown and a slew of national and world championships, stepped down from the Allentown-based group after Philly.com reported Thursday that nine women had. 1, 2 & 4 / Grover's Corner (from Our Town) & Appalachian Spring, Symphony No. The Cadets from Allentown, Pennsylvania perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. Fine time to ask me now. As temperatures have plunged this winter, water use has risen. In her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. They sleep on hard gym floors, take water breaks on the run and get an average of one day off per month. 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. Youth Education in. First, I want to thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me in this role. 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. 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. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. 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 . 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. By Staff. The Govenaires, an all-age/senior corps founded in 1927, retain the title of oldest continuously active corps. Marie J DiDomenico Dont listen to them Steven, its the guard. 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 . Anthony warned Hopkins that if he violated any conditions of probation he could be sent to a state prison. "I never said yes. Lees ons privacybeleid en cookiebeleid voor meer informatie over hoe we uw persoonsgegevens gebruiken. There was an error processing your request. Give us your full drum corps/marching music background. The charges are second-degree felonies. After the hearing, Hopkins' lawyer, Thomas Bergstrom, called the probationary sentence a fair result and said there were many inconsistencies in the accusers' stories. Get local Breaking News alerts sent directly to your inbox. "And he did it anyway. But even after he was let go, Connell said he was still allowed around corps members who knew what had happened and had reported him to the administration because he was the organizations connection to the housing site where they were staying. George Hopkins, the former director of the renowned Allentown Cadets drum and bugle corps, appeared in a Lehigh County courtroom Tuesday morning and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing on . has taken furt, Two former Youth Education in the Arts employees accused George Hopkins of sexual assault. 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. Please know, you lose many, many GREAT people because of the reasons I listed and more. Im angry. And thats the sad part, those people that truly went through something hard, something life-altering and traumatic, are scared to talk about it.. In 1937, the corps song, "O Holy Name", was written for the corps. Watch this report from Action News at 4:30pm on April 6, 2018. A few times in my life I have tried to work with an executive assistant. 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. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Free Access to this video! In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. [21] Committees were created in the areas of Health and Wellness, Equality and Inclusion, Performing Arts Education, Governance, and Finance. 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.. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. 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. Hopkins attended Wednesdays proceeding but did not address the court. In addition to The Cadets, YEA! Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. (CAE). In addition, YEA! There was an error processing your request. It comes from the higher-ups, it comes from the admin, it comes from the board of directors, it comes from the staff, the caption staff, the people that are in charge of putting on the show. If you forget to do a step-off, someones going to collide into you with a 20-pound tuba. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. Copyright 2023 by The Associated Press. Im angry. 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. During his tenure, Hopkins took the Cadets to 10 world championships and was an icon in the drum corps community. The CAE Board of Directors approved this decision on Monday evening, February 13, 2023. agreed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Crossmen in 1997. George Hopkins 260 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). 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. In 1998, the corps rebranded once again, dropping any reference to locale from its name and becoming simply The Cadets. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli GH doesnt love the CADET Organisation he made himself an empire..to support him with his RV and 200K salary plus all the other extras.Laughing at everyone all the way to the bank.. Laura Masker I am not disagreeing with you as far as GH is concerned. By The Morning Call PUBLISHED: November 14, 2018 at 1:05 a.m. | UPDATED: November 14, 2018 at 1:32 a.m. 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! Now, she told Hopkins, who stood a few feet from her in the courtroom, she feels stronger than ever. In an online post last year, Hopkins called the allegations an orchestrated smear by those who disagreed with his management. Read more Kyle Monroe by Tricia L. Nadolny The corps quickly became one of the top competitive corps in the country. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. 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. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. The YEA! He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most 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. But no one is irreplaceable. 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. What is clear ---I need an assistant. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. George Hopkins resigned as director of the Cadets, an elite drum corps based in Allentown, Pa., after nine women accused him of sexual misconduct. 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. [10] The organization also hired a Chicago labor and employment law firm, Franczek Radelet, to investigate the accusations against Hopkins as well as YEA!s policies and procedures for providing a safe environment for youth members, employees, and volunteers. 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! But if that is the consensus of the alumni maybe WE should ensure that there will be a future for the CADET organization! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. She marched from 2015 to 2017, around the same time as Calhoun. There is an interview with Beyer that is readily available to the public that will allow the Bergstrom to build his defense, Berry argued. In 1987, the corps won its fourth DCI crown in five years. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. 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. "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. with the Cadets as DCI World Championsthe first eastern corps ever to hold In 1969, the corps became coed. She said Hopkins words on social media after the allegations became public in 2018 were a constant source of anxiety. One in four trooper positions are vacant. He joined the staff of the Cadets in 1979 as percussion instructor and arranger, moving up to become Assistant Director under Dr. Santo . "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. Jackie Fritsche You beat me to it. The Scouts, however, have not competed on the field since 2015, making The Cadets the oldest continuously active junior corps. His arrival was fortuitous, because the Cadets were in crisis - lacking staff, Charles Mura, Michael Koeph, and the Rev. Als u niet wilt dat wij en onze partners cookies en persoonsgegevens voor deze aanvullende doeleinden gebruiken, klik dan op 'Alles weigeren'. But, as Connell says, the problem is much deeper than a couple of creeps. Hopkins did not testify Thursday. This is the performing arts, you dont need to be like this.. "This is a painful moment for all those who care about The Cadets," Youth Education in the Arts, the nonprofit that runs The Cadets, said in a statement on its website. Im still standing and using my voice to say what you did was wrong, she said. Hopkins also served as CEO of the Cadets' parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts. ", She said she didn't file a rape report or inform the board of directors because Hopkins seemed "untouchable.". creates new code of conduct after sexual harassment allegations, Fired! and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. 93 (Mvts. I cried a little bit," she recalled. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. Mostly cloudy and drier, but a few scattered rain showers linger early, and perhaps a few snow showers at any point in the Poconos. Hopkins is out on $50,000 bail. 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. YEA! 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 ended up pulling a hamstring, but wasnt sent to a clinic for treatment. Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. DCI.org: For the uninitiated, give us a brief history of YEA!'s relationship with the Crossmen. how enemies came to be friends. The corps traveled to Chicago for Legion Nationals at the members' own expense. 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 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. The Troopers and other corps under the Drum Corps International umbrella are now left to reckon with the allegations brought against them on a deeper level, beyond personnel. he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. A tuba player lost feeling in their right hand, he said, and wasnt treated until the next day. On November 13, Hopkins was indicted in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania for sexual assault, based on accusations of two women who are former employees of YEA. 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. Its a very difficult question, Anthony said. to take in order for its drum corps to participate in the upcoming 2018 DCI Summer Tour. 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. The women who accused Hopkins of harassment ranged in age from 16 to 37 at the time of the alleged incidents, which dated to 1980. 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. For members of the Casper-based Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps, summer is hardly a vacation. 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) and only for this show no black uniform. which will ALWAYS take priority over my work. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. The woman told police that when she stood up to leave the bar, she felt like she was moving in Jello.. Two more women say they were raped by George Hopkins, bringing to 11 the number who have accused the former drum and bugle corps director of sexual misconduct. Their biggest resource in that effort may be the very people who are speaking out. Hopkins: Briefly, after I personally assisted the project in 1996 (Chris Marino was the chairman of the board for the Crossmen), YEA! Updated Nov 13, 2018. 253 votes, 88 comments. 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.". 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. 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. I just felt like, Well, youre right. They dont eat lunch until their section is perfectly lined up by twos. 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. 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. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. 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. It comes from a lot of different places.. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! Calhoun said, careful not to sound arrogant, that he was a solid corps member. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Some people may be able to give 12 hours a day to the cause, and that is great for them and you, but my life is outside of YEA! Brand New App to watch all of WFMZ-TV News and Syndicated Programing 24/7 on your Streaming App enabled TV. 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.