About Us
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- Category: Corps Documents
- Published on Monday, 27 June 2011 14:02
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 Boston area, and now calls the Lt. Norman Prince VFW Post in Melrose, MA its home.
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 New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, as well as in 40+ cities and towns throughout Massachusetts, the Crusaders Seniors have cultivated fans wherever they appear. Some key performances for this corps include the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame Parade in 2005, celebrating the Boston Red Sox winning their first World Series Title in 80 years, and the NHL Winter Classic at historic Fenway Park. The Crusaders are proud to be one of only two corps to appear in every DCA Alumni Spectacular since the show’s inception in 1998.
Since 2011 marks the 20th year of the Crusader Senior Corps, 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.
