This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Shortly after, more victims came forward, and the accounts of two of these women became the basis of the criminal charges brought in November 2018. George has 7 jobs listed on their profile. You have permission to edit this article. 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. [5] In January 2009, The Cadets marched in President Barack Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C. Hopkins had been suing YEA for $650,000 in severance, vacation and expenses. But no one is irreplaceable. This is the resignation letter from the director of USBands (a YEA program that helps fund The Cadets) and reveals some interesting information. 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. Casper nonprofits can now apply for 1-cent funding through the city's official application process. Hopkins was hired by The Cadets in 1979 and became director in 1982, coaching the team to 10 world titles. The group said it was taking steps to address the issues raised by past members, and has subsequently hired a new interim director. Former Cadets described him as a charismatic leader, while former office workers said he was a volatile, often verbally abusive boss. Genesis from Austin, Texas performs during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. moved its base of operations to Allentown, Pennsylvania and The Cadets relocated along with it. Read more JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony also fined Hopkins $5,000, the most allowed by law, and called him flatly disgusting.. April 13, 2018. 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. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. An order filed Tuesday in. 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. She told police that she passed out in his apartment and, when she woke up, Hopkins was gone. 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Nickelodeons Kids Choice Awards: What Is Slime, and Why Do We Love It? Abusers like Hopkins benefit from a culture of exclusivity and competition thats common in drum corps. Caren Blundetto-Frech This would be more appropriately titled as a BLACK SATURDAY sale . These PEOPLE are your most important asset. Assistant District Attorney Matthew Falk declined to comment afterward on whether the two sides were discussing a plea deal. 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. Hopkins is facing two sexual assault charges after nearly a dozen women came forward with allegations in 2018. Allentown's Cadets drum and bugle corps forming non-profit, separating from YEA! 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. wondering if he would be able to field and/or finance a corps, and ended 1983 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). 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. 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. 39K subscribers in the drumcorps community. YEA! Hopkins surrendered to authorities, was arraigned, and was released on $50,000 bail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 4. He began as Director in 1983 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. Michael Berry, attorney for the Inquirer, countered that the defense could interview Beyer on its own or cross-examine her at trial. ALLENTOWN, Pa. | The defense attorney for the former drum corps director accused of sexual assault is demanding that a newspaper turn over its unedited video interview of his clients accuser in order to prepare a proper defense. 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. In the criminal case, prosecutors alleged 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. . 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. The Scouts, however, have not competed on the field since 2015, making The Cadets the oldest continuously active junior corps. It wasnt rape and it wasnt sexual assault, Bergstrom said. 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. For those who outright pretty much called me a liar, Lillian Petrullo-Yocovelli Thx you Caren Blundetto-Frech!! The group keeps up a grueling practice and travel schedule, performing throughout the United States. 1 / Adagio for Strings / Medea's Dance of Vengeance, The Promise of Living (from The Tender Land) / Lincoln Portrait / Music for the Theater, Mvts. "[12] As a part of the terms of probation, the corps' reassessed their planned travel to the West Coast to open the season, and instead decided to proceed with a schedule redrawn for East Coast shows. The Casper Troopers perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening. George Hopkins 247 Followers Life long member, teacher, and administrator of Drum Corps (from 1968-2019). How to do some spring cleaning on your smartphone, What the Tech? I felt so used.". Hopkins, George. U kunt uw keuzes te allen tijde wijzigen door te klikken op de links 'Privacydashboard' op onze sites en in onze apps. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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Most of the time, the individual is NOT an assistant but someone who would like to assist. 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 accused him of sexual harassment or abuse. Als u uw keuzes wilt aanpassen, klik dan op 'Privacyinstellingen beheren'. Since the crime occurred in 2010, before a recent amendment to Megans Law, Hopkins is not subject to sexual offender registration. Value of cutting back on your screen time, What the Tech? 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. "I felt pressured and I felt cornered. Tips to help protect your smartphone from thieves, Outlast Forces Lone Wolf Contestants to Embrace Team Dynamics for Netflix Competition, Diego Luna: Andor Ending With Season 2 Is Really Important for My Mental Health. (A similar group of Midwestern corps, the Midwest Combine, was formed by the Blue Stars, Cavaliers, Madison Scouts, Santa Clara Vanguard, and the Troopers.) YEA! Through his attorney, Hopkins said he did not know who Marie is, but denied her allegation. 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 Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps . At 192 beats per minute.. The corps was known not only for its talent but for its traveling to compete. 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. The judge did not issue a ruling from the bench on Bergstroms motion. In a no-contest plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but concedes that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. 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. Hopkins was also charged with sexually assaulting another woman in Allentown; that charge was dropped as part of an agreement that led to Thursdays plea. 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 . I get they try to model it like the military, and in the military, youre only as strong as your weakest link, Calhoun said. Bergstrom reiterated his position that he cant effectively prepare a defense without access to the full interview. The lyrics are taught to new members each summer and sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum". and USBands, but I can no longer be treated as dispensable. I want the victims to know that what you did was horrible beyond description, the judge said. Connell said she never had any problems with Jackson herself, but was hurt indirectly watching her close friends being neglected or silenced. 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. Advertisement Allentown News The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field in July 2018. She said he showed up at her apartment one morning, begged her for sex, then pushed her on the bed and raped her. Names and emails redacted to protect the innocent. The only ones that thought it was the kiss ass GH puppets/groupies/cult members. During training, 150 members aged 14 to 22 rehearse for 12 hours a day, on their feet from morning to night. The Crossmen of San Antonio, Texas perform during Drums Along the Rockies at Cheney Alumni Field Friday evening, July 12, 2019. He followed that with eight additional DCI World Championships, most Stuart Evan Rice said in an interview this week that he told Dan Acheson . "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. George Hopkins, exiting court in Allentown in December 2018, pleaded no contest Thursday to indecent assault. She said she told Hopkins no but was unable to fight off his sexual advances. [7] Later that day, Hopkins stepped down as director of The Cadets and YEA! I dont know a single person who marched drum corps and didnt have complaints.. Im angry. Former Allentown Cadets director George Hopkins has settled a civil claim with the Cadets parent organization, Youth Education in the Arts, regarding compensation. "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. 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 Never marched in high school band. Hopkins needs Help From George Hopkins . Consent matters.. Ryan Macpherson, who hails from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota, will start his work as dean of the college on Aug. 1. Despite pressure on show sponsors, judges, and other drum corps, the corps were booked into a number of shows together. 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 her last season, she remembers a staffer being forced to resign after he was found to be sleeping with a member. Two additional women, including Beyer, came forward within days to say they were also victims. 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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. All that was claimed to have happened didnt happen. An online community dedicated to the marching arts, with a focus on drum corps. Marched in the Holts Hornets from 1968-1970. In July, he sued the organization for more than $580,000 in severance pay. 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. Currently semi retired, while creating Act 2 of life. 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. 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. This has directed more than enough negative attention to the Cadets when in reality, it should be pointed at George Hopkins himself. 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. She said that one evening in 2008, Hopkins asked her to come to his Allentown apartment to do some work. Consent matters.. In the suit, Hopkins denied he was fired by YEA, claiming he left the organization through a mutually agreeable cessation of employment.. 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. YEA! In addition, YEA! Error! For the 1971 season, the corps stuck together, offering show promoters the five corps as a package.