Crusaders


Other Names: St. Mary’s Juniors; St. Mary’s Crusaders

Beverly, MA United States
Founded: 1950

Inactive Junior

CORPS Photos

St. Mary’s Crusaders drum & bugle corps was originally formed in the fall of 1950 as the St. Mary’s Juniors, a feeder corps to the St. Mary’s Seniors (Cardinals) and sponsored by the St. Mary’s parish and the Holy Name Society.

The corps’ colors were fuchsia, white and black and were under the leadership of Pietro J. Nuccio as corps director. They participated and competed in the Archdiocese of Boston circuit and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) as a parade “straight marching” unit from 1952 to 1957.  In 1955, the corps became the St. Mary’s Crusaders  and Awards included the 1957 American Legion (AL) Straight Marching state title and several local CYO titles.

The corps entered the field of competition as a “Class C” member in the Eastern Massachusetts (E-Mass) circuit, building their status over the first few years, placing 5th in both the 1960 and 1961 championships. The following year saw the group make a giant leap in 1962 as champions of the CYO “Junior” circuit and a 2nd place finish in the E-Mass “Class C” circuit. Over the next 3 seasons, the Crusaders were crowned the E-Mass “Class C” champions with an appearance in the 1964 World Open “Class A” preliminaries, placing 37th

In 1966, the corps moved up to the E-Mass A-2 division, where they placed 6th in the finals and finished 19th in the World Open “Class A” prelims. The corps entered a rebuilding stage in both 1967 and 1968, returning to “Class C” competition in the E-Mass circuit, officially changing its name to the Beverly Crusaders in 1969 when the St. Mary’s parish reorganized its sponsorship commitments. That season the corps restored their finalist status in the E-Mass “Class C” division.

In 1970, the Crusaders, sporting new uniforms, continued their competitive path in the E-Mass “Class C” circuit and under new leadership by Edward E. Reanie, returned once again to the 1971 E-Mass finals, finishing 4th. This was the ground work that led to “Class C” titles in both 1972 and 1973, moving up to the A-2 class in 1974 and returning the next two years to the “Class C” arena, placing 2nd in the 1977 E-Mass championships.

The next year saw the corps compete in the 1978 World Open “Class B” preliminary round, placing 28th and won the E-Mass “A-2 Class” title, improving to a 16th place finish in the 1979 World Open “Class B” prelims and a 6th place finish in the “E-Mass” championships. In their final year of competition, they toured to the 1980 American International Open and the US Open “Class A” prelims, placing 19th and 17th respectively.

They disbanded in 1981.

 

Encyclopedia of Drum and Bugle Corps, 1966; Paul Legault (DCX)

Members (9)

Member Name Section Years Involved
Doyle, Chuck Drum Line/Horn Line/Drum Major 1974 to 1980
Hollis, Mary Drumline/ ColorGuard 1978
Hollis-Gerrish, Mary Color Guard 1979 to 1981
Melanson, Bill Drum Line 1975 to 1977
Milne, Dwayne Snare Line 1977 to 1980
Mulligan, Jack Horn (Baritone) 1953 to 1955
Ranahan, Maryann Horn 1978
Spanks, Carol Horn (Saprano) 1974 to 1977
Ward, Mike Baritone 1959 to 1961
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