Announcing our 2023 Award Winners
The Cavaliers have selected the 2023 winners of their prestigious Honorary Cavalier and Adolph DeGrauwe Legacy Awards. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize these winners live this summer at our celebratory 75th Anniversary Gala in Rosemont on July 1st (tickets available here). Please consider joining us to congratulate these amazing achievements in person!
The Adolph DeGrauwe Legacy Award is presented to Cavalier Alumni who have dedicated years of service and left a legacy of changing the organization for the better. Adolph DeGrauwe’s involvement The Cavaliers includes having been a marching member, Cavalier Cadets director, Cavaliers director, and both the vice president and the president of the board of directors. During his time as director, the corps saw a resurgence into the top tier of competitive drum corps groups. DeGrauwe’s impact is still felt by the corps today, and his namesake award is reserved for individuals who have left a powerful mark on the organization.
After participating in The Cavaliers drumline in 1955 and 1956, Larry McCormick went on to recruit corps members, lead the percussion instruction staff in the 60s, and serve as the corps creative director. His impact was not limited to his time directly working with members, as he would keep in touch with many of his drummers for decades after his involvement. He documented important moments in Cavaliers and drum corps history with his iconic “When Drum Corps was Drum Corps” video feature. McCormick’s impact is felt across the entire marching arts activity: He created Bands of America, and is a member of both the BOA and DCI Hall of Fames.
Dana Heeres and Bob Jackson took over the responsibility of managing The Cavaliers from Don Warren in 1974, and the team oversaw operations through 1978. As two men in their early twenties, this was a big challenge. Heeres played baritone in the corps and Jackson served as Guard Sergeant, helping to found the Cavaliers Winter Guard. The two are prime examples of what it means to be a Cavalier. They remain best friends to this day.
Dr. Fred Olin marched in The Chicago Cavaliers from 1956-1958. After spending time as a member, he completed medical school, became an orthopedic surgeon, and worked with Dr. Craig Bales and nurse Helen Turner to found the Cavalier Medical Group in the early 1990s. He offered his professional services to not only The Cavaliers, but DCI via San Antonio medical clinics and examining members of other corps.
The title of Cavalier is reserved for those who marched in The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps at any point, with the exception of Honorary Cavalier award recipients. The Honorary Cavalier award is presented to nominated individuals who, for a minimum of ten years, generously contribute their time and dedication to the drum corps. The Cavaliers are incredibly proud to bestow this hard-earned honor to our most dedicated staff and volunteers.
2023 WINNERS
Sue Heitzman supported The Cavaliers in many ways alongside husband Don Heitzman, from helping to fulfill orders for Cavalier Promotions Inc., to managing inventory, to helping to fit and order the iconic member corps jackets for several years. She helped fundraise, sold tickets, and even hosted many Cavaliers board meetings in her own home. Sue and Don’s two sons marched in The Cavaliers, and she supported their marching years as well as Don’s roles as Cavaliers Treasurer and CPI chairperson.
Fred and Marlene Miller with Fred J. Miller Uniforms have supported the iconic uniform and costumes of The Cavaliers and all of our organization’s programs for 40 years this year (since 1983). They have worked closely with our program designers and program management during that time to help hone our brand identity, and they are one of our longest-standing professional partners. With their help, we remain one of the most recognizable drum corps to take the field year to year.
Travis Speice has impacted the lives of hundreds of Cavaliers in his 12 years on Color Guard staff. Beyond providing world-class instruction and care to Cavaliers membership, he would regularly coordinate the staff, fix equipment, or even repair props when needed. Despite the sometimes unpredictable nature of summer tour, Travis was always a source of positivity and encouragement for the members, reminding the guard daily that “it’s a beautiful night for drum corps”. Colleagues call him dependable, professional, committed, collaborative, and simply the very best.
Please join us in congratulating this year’s winners! We hope you’ll join us at our 75th anniversary gala to recognize these individuals in person and celebrate our rich history.