One of the top DCI corps in the
mid 1970s was the Oakland Crusaders, the result
of a successful merger between De La Salle
Oalkands and the Etobicoke Crusaders. Carol
Munro, John Swartz and Mark Blandford, all of whom were in "Oakies"
drum line, now play with the
Optimists Alumni.
The Oakland
Crusaders were founded in 1975 as a merger
between the Etobicoke Crusaders and the De La
Salle Oaklands drum corps. They roared to
success in their first year of competition,
taking 6th place at DCI, an amazing
accomplishment! Even more amazing was their 4th
place prelims finish.
Their success continued the following year where
they finished in 8th place at the DCI finals. At
1977 DCI Nationals they placed first in drums at
prelims, but failed to make finals. In failure
they became legends as the only corps to win a
caption but not get the trophy - ever.
1986 saw the Oakland Crusaders and the
Ambassadors merge, for one season, to become Out
of the Blue. The next year they returned as the
Oakland Crusaders and continued to compete into
the 90s as an A Class corps. By the turn of the
century they had become a marching band before
fading out of existence.
1976 DCI Finals
1976 DCI Finals
This page was last updated on
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
