About the Crusader Senior Drum & Bugle Corps
In 1940, the Most Precious Blood Crusaders were organized as
a parish corps in the Hyde Park section of
A disagreement about recruiting members outside of the parish led to a break from the church in 1956, and with no uniforms or instruments, the corps became known as the Hyde Park Crusaders. Fighting the odds for survival, the corps developed into a powerhouse, winning the Eastern Mass. Championship in 1957 & 58, and finishing fourth in the American Legion Nationals in 1957.
At the conclusion of the 1958 season, the corps severed its
Over the years, the Crusaders have overcome much adversity,
to not only exist where many other units have withered, but to
experience extraordinary success. Locally, the Crusaders won 7
Eastern
The Crusader’s symbol, the split-tailed lion affectionately know as “Waldo” has become one of the most readily identified icons in drum corps today.
In 1991, twin brothers Neil and Terry Connolly, Crusaders alumni, seeking to preserve the pride and tradition of the Crusaders and to renew old friendships, organized a senior corps that was dubbed the “Saders”. The late Crusader legends Ed Denon and Paul Bush brought their instructional expertise into the mix, and the “Saders” were a viable unit. Jack LaSelva has been a mainstay at drum major since the corps’ inception, though during the first year, various members had the honor of leading the corps as it marched through their local towns.
The first home for the “Saders” (now officially renamed the
Crusaders Senior Corps of Boston),was at the City Hall in Waltham,
MA, as member Gene O’Brien was able to procure the building for a
practice site. Over the
years, the corps has had numerous practice facilities in the greater
Membership in the Crusaders is not limited to alumni of the Boston Crusaders junior corps. The corps’ roster is made up of veterans from various corps and bands; some of which were bitter rivals of the Crusader corps of an earlier era.
The Crusaders Senior Corps strives to maintain
the tradition of excellence established by the junior corps, and
takes pride in its accomplishments, but also has established its own
identity as one of the premier parade and exhibition corps in the
country. With
performances in the states of
Since 2010 marks the 70th year of the Crusaders’ organization, look for the Seniors to perform a “Strictly Crusader” repertoire of BAC classics. When you see the “Waldo” logo appearing on the field, and hear the exciting calls of “Conquest”, you will know you are in the midst of Crusader History.
