Drum Corps Highlights
By Jim Gallagher and John Tully
DCN Sept. 12, 1962 issue

There's been quite a bit of talk in the Penna. area about the protest that took place against one of the junior corps at the V.F.W. State's here in Philly. The BRACKEN CAVALIERS were well aware that they were being protested by one of the smaller corps as long as two weeks before the contest, but they failed to produce proof that they had no one in their ranks over age.

They came to the contest knowing they would be protested, and went on the field with the entire Jr. contest under protest. When the final scores were announced, Vasella Musketeers were announced in first place with 82.533. Bracken was announced in second with 81.85. And Mann Rangers were announced third with 67.783. The V.F.W. Committee gave Bracken two weeks to produce proof that they did not have any overage members in their ranks, and the Cavaliers failed to produce this proof. Consequently, Bracken was disqualified and Vasella (who had won the first place) kept the title while all the corps behind Bracken moved up one place.

At the American Legion States, the protest did not go through. It was turned down on the grounds that a man's word is not enough proof, even though Bracken failed to produce the proof for the V.F.W. contest. The final scores were announced as follows:
Vasella - 83.866
Bracken - 79.733
Rangers - 72.783

Once again, Vasella took first, this time by a margin of four points. The big gripe was that when the article appeared in D.C.N., it stated that Bracken did not know they would be protested until they arrived at the field, and that they had to do a lot of rushing around and were pretty well shook up by the time they went on the field. But, I repeat, and the V.F.W. Committee will stand behind this, Bracken was aware they would be protested quite some time before the contest, and they were on the line a full 15 minutes before the kickoff in full uniform, after they arrived at the field ready to compete under the protest. Many people were misled by the article, written by E. Saxton (Bracken Business Mgr.) , and thought that Vasella had won the contest only because Bracken was disqualified. Archer-Epler took first in both American Legion and V.F.W. State. The MUSKETEERS took first at V.F.W. with 83.616. Reading BUCCANEERS were second with 83.55, and REILLY was third with 82.483.

At American Legion State, Archer-Epler was again first with 86.05. Reilly was second with 84.266. Pittsburgh Rockets were third with 83.283........ Atlantic City's Invitational saw Vasella take first, Audubon Girls second, and Haddon Heights take third. Archie put on an exhibition at this contest using 9 more men in the hornline and six snares .... ST. KEVIN'S undoubtedly have the top GE show of the year. They had the crowd at Garfield going wild. Blessed Sacrament took first at Garfield, and they are still the smoothest corps on the field. Kevin's was second, St. Catherine's was third.

And Sacrament emerged the victor at Bracken's Eastern States, defeating the Garfield Cadets with St. Cathy's in the number three spot....

The Drum Corps world will soon be hearing from the one and only Father Wojtycha once again. He and Mickey Petrone have quite an idea for the Big Green Band.