Announcing Our 2026 Award Winners
The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps proudly announce the recipients of our 2026 Honorary Cavalier designation and Adolph Degrauwe Legacy Award winners. Please join us in celebrating these special alumni, volunteers, and leaders whose exceptional service and dedication have made a profound and lasting impact on The Cavaliers community.
The Honorary Cavalier Award recognizes individuals who, while not marching members, have contributed extraordinary time, energy, and heart to The Cavaliers. These honorees exemplify the spirit of service, generosity, and dedication that sustains The Cavaliers’ mission.
Our 2026 Honorary Cavalier
Thien Pham serves as an integral logistical guru of The Cavaliers, managing complex logistics, budget control, and communication needs to ensure a successful summer tour each season. His vast institutional knowledge has provided invaluable stability and support to multiple corps directors, staff, and volunteers. Beyond his tireless behind-the-scenes work for the Cavaliers, he brings elite activity experience as a former member and instructor of DCI, a local winter guard instructor in Arizona, and an active WGI color guard judge. His deep dedication and quiet impact on the daily membership experience make him exceptionally deserving of this year's Honorary Cavalier award.
The Adolph DeGrauwe Award is one of The Cavaliers’ highest honors, named in recognition of longtime Cavaliers leader and legacy-builder Adolph DeGrauwe, whose contributions continue to inspire generations of Cavaliers. The award is presented annually to individuals whose leadership, dedication, and contributions have left a lasting impact on the organization’s success and future.
2026 AD Legacy Award Winners
Chris Hartowicz holds an unmatched distinction in Cavaliers history as the only color guard member to march nine seasons with the corps, contributing to four national championship titles and serving as Guard Sergeant. Following his historic performing career, he provided over a decade of vital service on the Board of Directors—including six years as Board President—where he successfully stabilized and modernized the organization during a critical financial period. His visionary leadership also drove the creation of the historic 2008 60th Anniversary Alumni Corps (CAC888), which re-engaged generations of alumni and set a modern standard for Drum Corps International. Today, he continues to secure long-term sustainability for the organization by personally spearheading some of the Cavaliers’ most lucrative fundraising initiatives.
Paul Leo made history as the only Cavalier to ever march nine years in the drumline, capturing four national championships and six national drum titles before serving as a highly valued member of the instructional staff. Over the ensuing 50 years, he has remained a cornerstone of the organization, dedicating his time and resources to purchasing, restoring, and preserving historic Cavaliers drum artifacts to pass down to future generations. His extensive leadership includes serving on the Cavaliers Alumni Association Board of Directors, guiding the Classic Cavaliers alumni corps for seven years, and hosting monthly alumni reunions for over a decade. Furthermore, his multi-decade commitment spans vital fundraising team roles, housing and feeding dozens of members during the 60th anniversary, and performing in the 2023 75th anniversary CAPE drumline.
Craig Rasin has left an indelible mark on the organization through his lifelong spirit of volunteerism and widespread contributions across the equipment, administrative, and instructional staffs. He was a vital part of the color guard staff that led the Cavaliers winter guard to consecutive WGI World Championships in 1981, 1982, and 1983. As an extended-tenure member of the Board of Directors, he provided crucial organizational wisdom while simultaneously volunteering behind the scenes to help transform CPI into a major revenue source. Additionally, his exceptional attention to detail and calm leadership in managing home shows transitioned local events into major, highly competitive draws on the DCI calendar and premier fundraisers for the corps.
Bill Mugnai, a dedicated marching member from 1982 to 1984, has long served as a model volunteer by supporting the cook crew, uniform staff, and facility management with a selfless "no job too small" attitude. Utilizing the leadership and organizational skills honed as a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster, he successfully formalized and revolutionized CAPE’s Volunteer recruitment programs to ensure all volunteers feel welcomed and supported. His exceptional dedication has culminated in extensive leadership advancement, including joining the CAA Board of Directors. Now serving as the CAA President, he brings his extensive operational insight directly to the CAPE board table to champion the future of the organization.
A Legacy of Excellence
These 2026 award winners will be formally recognized and given awards during a reception taking place prior to Cavalcade of Brass, The Cavaliers home show, on July 10th, 2026. Winners will also be recognized during the show. Please join us in recognizing these essential members of Cavalier Nation!
For more information on The Cavaliers visit: cavaliers.org.
About Cavaliers Arts, Performance & Education (CAPE):
CAPE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming lives through the marching arts, education, and community engagement. Its mission is to inspire and develop young people of all backgrounds to achieve excellence and to become leaders and champions through education,