Black Knights
Other Names: Kewanee American Legion Post 31
Kewanee, IL United States
Founded: 1949
One of their first public appearances was in March 1950 in Galesburg as the corps went on to compete at the IL Legion state, placing 4th and were crowned the 1950 VFW state champions, a title they would defend over the next two seasons. In 1951, as the new Black Knights, they would finish 2nd at both the AL state and Il State Fair championships.
In 1952, the corps set out on a string of 10 straight appearances at the AL Nationals, competing in the prelims the first two years before qualifying as a finalist from 1954 to 1961. Their highest finish would be in 1956, where they ranked 3rd. During this period, the Black Knights would go on to finish in the “Top 3” at the AL state championships, winning the title in 1961. The corps also won the IL State Fair championships 6 times between 1954 to 1961.
In 1962, after a slow start in the winter, the unit secured their 7th IL State Fair title with a 2nd place finish at the state convention. They returned one last time to the 1963 AL Nationals, earning a finalist spot in the contest along with 3rd place finishes at both the State Fair and convention. The 1964 season would be their last competitive year with a 2nd place finish at the state convention.
They disbanded in 1965.
Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; Jon Anderson, RAMD, 1/19/96; Paul Legault (DCX)
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1950 1 scores
Highest Score 0.000
Final show in DCX Archives June 4, 1950 15th Annual Hospital Day Competition Dwight IL
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1951 4 scores
Highest Score 91.800
Final show in DCX Archives September 8, 1951 IL American Legion State (finals) Chicago IL placed 2 with a score of 91.000
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1952 5 scores
Highest Score 93.590
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1952 Gladiolus Festival Momence IL placed 2 with a score of 92.000
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1953 5 scores
Highest Score 88.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1953 20th Annual Veterans Day Illinois State Fair Competition Springfield IL
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1954 4 scores
Highest Score 87.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 22, 1954 Dwight IL
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1955 6 scores
Highest Score 87.800
Final show in DCX Archives September 11, 1955 Woodstock Bataan Day Show Woodstock IL placed 2 with a score of 87.800
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1956 5 scores
Highest Score 91.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 1956 Illinois State Fair Springfield IL placed 2 with a score of 91.200
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1957 9 scores
Highest Score 84.360
Final show in DCX Archives September 14, 1957 American Legion National Championships - Senior Prelims Atlantic City NJ placed 13 with a score of 84.310
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1958 5 scores
Highest Score 84.720
Final show in DCX Archives September 4, 1958 Finals Chicago IL placed 10 with a score of 84.720
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1959 5 scores
Highest Score 75.490
Final show in DCX Archives August 23, 1959 Minneapolis MN placed 8 with a score of 75.490
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1960 6 scores
Highest Score 80.125
Final show in DCX Archives October 16, 1960 American Legion National Championships Miami FL placed 7 with a score of 63.560
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1961 3 scores
Highest Score 79.866
Final show in DCX Archives September 9, 1961 American Legion National Championships Denver CO placed 4 with a score of 79.866
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1962 4 scores
Highest Score 65.450
Final show in DCX Archives September 1, 1962 Racine WI placed 5 with a score of 61.100
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1963 7 scores
Highest Score 73.166
Final show in DCX Archives September 8, 1963 American Legion National Championships - Prelims Miami Beach FL placed 7 with a score of 73.166
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1964 2 scores
Highest Score 57.780
Final show in DCX Archives August 1, 1964 Illinois American Legion Championships Chicago IL placed 2 with a score of 57.780
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1972 1 scores
Highest Score 70.750
Final show in DCX Archives July 22, 1972 Spectacle of Music Milwaukee WI placed 3 with a score of 70.750
Members (1)
| Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Neuleib, Gregg | soprano, mellophone | 1965 to 1973 |
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