Crossmen Announce Hall of Fame Class of 2009
http://www.crossmenalumni.org/articles/75/1/Crossmen-Announce-Hall-of-Fame-Class-of-2009/Page1.html
By Rick Reedy
Published on 07/14/2009
The Crossmen are pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Crossmen Hall of Fame, George Hopkins and Gary Cuzzocrea. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday July 30th at Farrell Stadium on the campus of West Chester University, site of the DCI show taking place that evening.
Crossmen Announce Hall of Fame Class of 2009
The Crossmen are pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Crossmen Hall of Fame, George Hopkins and Gary Cuzzocrea.
Gerorge Hopkins, a charter member of the Crossmen, started his drum corps career in 1968 as a member of the Holt's Hornets in Clifton Heights, PA. He then moved with the corps to Norwood, PA where they became the 507 Hornets, which eventually became the Crossmen. Hop marched in the snareline from 1975, aging out in 1978. As a percussionist in the corps, and continuing through the role he plays today as director of the Cadets, Hop has always strived to be the best. In 1996, Hopkins would reunite with his Crossmen roots, as he lobbied for the corps to become an official program offering of Youth Education in the Arts. For twelve years, and many ups and downs, YEA helped keep the Crossmen legacy alive. In the fall of 2006, the Crossmen moved to San Antonio, TX. Hop was there actively participating in the transition ensuring that the new administration had all the resources they needed to be successful, and ultimately once again, an independent corps. George's contributions to the Crossmen, from his early days as a performer to his many years guiding and assisting the corps under YEA, have continued to exemplify everything it means to BE a Crossmen; dedication, spirit, passion, wisdom, discipline, and loyalty.
Gary Cuzzocrea has spent nearly two decades contributing to the Crossmen. Whether as a performer, instructor, mentor, volunteer or active member of the alumni association, Gary has always upheld the highest standards and integrity during his time with the organization. A member of the hornline from 1990 through 1992, Gary joined the visual staff in 1997, a position he retained through the 2003 season. A caretaker of Crossmen history, Gary has maintained the website for the Crossmen Alumni Association since 2002. As the corps recently moved to uncharted territory in Texas, Gary has taken on the role of consultant and mentored the new administration whose priority has been to make sure that the traditions and history of the corps remain intact. Gary has stood by the Crossmen through some of the best moments, and clearly through some of the worst. He is an inspiration to all who have marched along side him, or underneath his instruction, as well as those who now benefit from his unending passion towards ensuring that the traditions and legacy of the Bones live on indefinitely. There is no doubt that when you hear what it means to BE a Crossmen; dedication, spirit, passion, wisdom, discipline, and loyalty, you think of Gary.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday July 30th at Farrell Stadium on the campus of West Chester University, site of the DCI show taking place that evening. There will be a pre-show gathering for the inductees under the alumni tent on the field beginning at 5:15pm. The Crossmen will arrive at around 6pm to join the festivities, which will continue until just before the show begins. The Hall of Fame plaques will be awarded on the field before the announcement of the evening's scores. The Crossmen Alumni Association would like to offer its congratulations to George and Gary on this incredible honor!
Gerorge Hopkins, a charter member of the Crossmen, started his drum corps career in 1968 as a member of the Holt's Hornets in Clifton Heights, PA. He then moved with the corps to Norwood, PA where they became the 507 Hornets, which eventually became the Crossmen. Hop marched in the snareline from 1975, aging out in 1978. As a percussionist in the corps, and continuing through the role he plays today as director of the Cadets, Hop has always strived to be the best. In 1996, Hopkins would reunite with his Crossmen roots, as he lobbied for the corps to become an official program offering of Youth Education in the Arts. For twelve years, and many ups and downs, YEA helped keep the Crossmen legacy alive. In the fall of 2006, the Crossmen moved to San Antonio, TX. Hop was there actively participating in the transition ensuring that the new administration had all the resources they needed to be successful, and ultimately once again, an independent corps. George's contributions to the Crossmen, from his early days as a performer to his many years guiding and assisting the corps under YEA, have continued to exemplify everything it means to BE a Crossmen; dedication, spirit, passion, wisdom, discipline, and loyalty.
Gary Cuzzocrea has spent nearly two decades contributing to the Crossmen. Whether as a performer, instructor, mentor, volunteer or active member of the alumni association, Gary has always upheld the highest standards and integrity during his time with the organization. A member of the hornline from 1990 through 1992, Gary joined the visual staff in 1997, a position he retained through the 2003 season. A caretaker of Crossmen history, Gary has maintained the website for the Crossmen Alumni Association since 2002. As the corps recently moved to uncharted territory in Texas, Gary has taken on the role of consultant and mentored the new administration whose priority has been to make sure that the traditions and history of the corps remain intact. Gary has stood by the Crossmen through some of the best moments, and clearly through some of the worst. He is an inspiration to all who have marched along side him, or underneath his instruction, as well as those who now benefit from his unending passion towards ensuring that the traditions and legacy of the Bones live on indefinitely. There is no doubt that when you hear what it means to BE a Crossmen; dedication, spirit, passion, wisdom, discipline, and loyalty, you think of Gary.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Thursday July 30th at Farrell Stadium on the campus of West Chester University, site of the DCI show taking place that evening. There will be a pre-show gathering for the inductees under the alumni tent on the field beginning at 5:15pm. The Crossmen will arrive at around 6pm to join the festivities, which will continue until just before the show begins. The Hall of Fame plaques will be awarded on the field before the announcement of the evening's scores. The Crossmen Alumni Association would like to offer its congratulations to George and Gary on this incredible honor!