Black Shields of Sparta

The Black Shields of Sparta was organized in October of 1968 as a competitive corps under the direction of Earl Huff. The corps was entirely self-supported with sponsorship from the American Legion Post 72 of Mt. Carmel and the VFW Post 9630 of Willowville.

The corps participated at the US Open “Class A” championships in their inaugural season, placing 5^th and returned the following year with a 7^th position finish. The Old Angels of Ohio uniforms were sold to the corps in the fall of 1969 as well as purchasing three buses, a drum line, several brass instruments and hats and plumes. In 1970, the corps also sponsored their first annual “Precision ‘N Brass” contest.

In 1971, the Black Shields toured out to Canada with an appearance at the Canadian Open “Class A” championships, placing 14^th in the prelims and made a stop at the US Open on their way back home, finishing in 17^th position in the preliminary “Class A”  round. The following season, the corps traveled to Chicago, participating at the 1972 American Legion Nationals, placing 44^th and once again, returned to the US Open “Class A” prelims, finishing in 27^th.

In their final season of competition, the Black Shields of Sparta, as they had in all of their existence, participated at the US Open “Class A” preliminaries, placing 33^rd before disbanding in 1974.

Over the years, their instructional staff included Earl Huff on brass and marching, alongside Wayne Greis and Norman Root and Bill Ferris on percussion and later George McCloy on brass and Mike Blazer on percussion.

Taken from "The Growing Area article" by Ray Byer in the July 1970 DCD; Paul Legault (DCX)

CORPS 2 items

Black Shields of Sparta

BlackShieldsofSparta,Mt.Carmel,OH,Pin1-Shield(RE-3.5)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

Black Shields of Sparta

BlackShieldsofSparta,Mt.Carmel,OH,Pin2-Shield(eBay-1.5)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection

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