Crusaders

The Crusaders drum and bugle corps was organized in the fall of 1963 and chartered in February of 1964 by the Parents Association of Brookhaven.

After their inaugural season of parade and exhibition activities, under the direction of David Clark, the corps took the field of competition in 1965, participating in the National Association circuit, placing 2^nd in the championships. The following year saw the Crusaders place 5^th in the 1966 National circuit as well as 6^th and 7^th place finishes in the American Legion (AL) and VFW state contests.

By 1967, the Crusaders had won the National Association title and improved to a 3^rd place position in the VFW state convention, winning the 1968 VFW state title. They also went on to win the Distelfink Invitational championships three consecutive times, from 1968 to 1970. The next year, the Brookhaven unit was crowned the 1969 AL state champions along with 2^nd place finishes in the VFW state and Eastern States circuit championships.

They were introduced at the National level in 1970 and 1971 with appearances in the prelims of the VFW Nationals, placing 24^th and 23^rd respectively, adding three titles to their name in 1970 including the Eastern States circuit and both state convention championships. The corps competed in the preliminaries of both the 1971 World Open “Class A” and US Open “Open Class” contests, placing 27^th and 25^th.  

After the 1971 season, internal strife caused many of the members to leave the corps. The Crusaders never fully recovered from the mass exodus of talent that left and were forced to revert back to parade and exhibition status for the 1972 season. Regrouping in 1973, the corps returned to the competitive field with limited exposure and made their last appearance in the 1974 VFW Nationals, placing 13^th in the preliminary round, missing out from the finals by a mere 2 tenths of a point. In 1975, the corps competed in the New Jersey AL state convention where they finished in 12^th position and closed out their last season with an appearance in the 1976 World Open “Class B” prelims, placing 21^st.

They disbanded in 1977. 

Paul Legault (DCX)

 The Brookhaven Crusaders was a junior marching and maneuvering corps based in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1960, the Crusaders won the 1970 version of the Eastern States Junior Drum & Bugle Corps Circuit Championships in Glenolden, Pennsylvania.

Members (13)