Rob Robinson wins DCA snare title

Crossmen Alums Dale Adair, Rob Robinson and Mike Rabinowitz will participate in this year’s DCA Individual Competition for Snare. Mike will also join Sean McReady and Jason Hart Smith in the Cymbal Ensemble at The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, 550 Taylor Ave, Annapolis MD on Friday, August 31, 2012.

The CAA would like to welcome the 2012 Ageouts into the Association.

The Crossmen Alumni Association is pleased to announce the newest members of the Crossmen Hall of Fame, Class of 2012: (shown above, L to R) Wes and Helen Bustard, Bob Donohue, Matt Krempasky, and Rod Owens. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in the park outside of J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown, PA on Saturday, August 4th at 4:00pm. There will be several well marked tents near the pool area where the official alumni gathering takes place each year. We look forward to seeing you there! (Class of 2012 Bios...)

The Crossmen Alumni Association would like to send our most sincere condolences to the friends and family of alum Cory Sherling, who lost his fight with cancer on June 5th. Cory jumped on mid-tour in 1993, filling a contrabass position. He was also previously a long-time member of the Florida Wave. Cory leaves behind a wife Suzanne, and three children. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Sherling Family. Please have checks made payable to Suzanne Sherling and sent directly to the Fifth Third Bank - 1145 US Highway 70W - Garner, NC 27529.

We would like to thank Carole Shearer for offering to handle our latest fundraising effort. Anyone who marched 2004 until today has benefited from Carole’s volunteer efforts for the corps. Carole is a four-year Crossmen mom (2004 -2007) and longtime volunteer, and has created a fundraiser to benefit the Crossmen Alumni Association and the Crossmen Drum Corps. This limited time fundraiser utilizes Thirty-One products, a line of totes, purses, thermal, and storage items. There are many useful items in this line, but we are concentrating the fundraiser on the Thirty-One Products January Thermal Tote sale to offer you a great value, while supporting the Crossmen. Read more about it.

The Crossmen Alumni Association wishes to extend our deepest condolences to alums Dale Adair and Dawn Ball on the loss of their father, Robert Adair. Their dad was no stranger to drum corps and will be missed by many. Looking at their dad’s drum corps history, it's no wonder where Dale and Dawn got their desire and passion for the activity.

Bob Adair joined the Osmond Cadets in 1941. In 1947, he became the VFW Junior National Champion soprano soloist at age 12. He marched with Osmond for ten years (VFW Champions in 1948 and 1949). While in Osmond, he also studied drumming under the legendary John Dowlan, and joined Dowlan and Hall of Famer Harry Ginther to make up the snare line of the Reilly Raiders in 1952 and 1953 (A.L. National Champions). Bob then returned to his interest as solo soprano, becoming music instructor of the Raiders in 1957 (VFW National Champions 1957-59) continuing through 1965. Bob instructed the Liberty Bell Cadets (1952-1958), Haddon Heights Vagabonds (drums, 1955-1961), Bracken Cadets (1959-1971), and Reilly Raiders Alumni (1994-1998). Bob was a member of the National Judges Association.

BSGK Tribute to Bob Adair and the Reilly Raiders

Relatives and friends are invited to Robert's Life Celebration on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 PM, and Wednesday from 10:30 AM, followed by his funeral service at 11:30 AM at John F. Givnish of Academy Rd., 10975 Academy Rd., Philadelphia. Interment Private.

Crossmen Corps Director Mark Chambers announced Saturday morning that he was resigning as the Director of the corps. Read more...