Poms, Flags, Twirlers named ‘2003 Corps of the Year’ in Orlando

Next major performance March 28 at Indy Pacers game

The Golduster Pom Squad, Golden Silks Flag Corps and Solo and “All-American” Twirlers were named “2003 Corps of the Year” at the Wide World of Sports Twirlmania competition held Feb14-16 in Orlando, FL.

The national competition draws more than 900 competitors to Orlando each year. 2003 marked the first time the Purdue Band Auxiliaries had entered a group competition of any kind.

Alisha Kuckartz, advisor to the three groups, says the Purdue performers were caught off guard by the “Corps of the Year” announcement. “It was the last award announced and we were shocked - and so excited. We didn’t expect anything like that,” Kuckartz says. The awards banquet was held Saturday in the Theatre of the Stars at MGM Studios.

The “Fiesta” show that Purdue fans saw at halftime of the men’s and women’s basketball games on Feb. 5-6, “weighed heavily in the decision for the Corps of the Year Award,” Kuckartz says. “We got lots of comments on how neat our twirlers, flags and poms work together.

In individual group awards, Purdue also came away with the 2003 Pom First Place Award and the 2003 Flag Corps First Place Award.

The performing troupe led the Spectral Magic parade through the Magic Kingdom on Friday night, and performed a show on Downtown Disney’s outdoor stage on Saturday night. “As soon as we finished on Saturday, Disney invited us back on the spot. That was a really nice compliment. I didn’t expect to get that kind of feedback because they see talent all the time,” Kuckartz says.

The troupe’s next major performance will be Friday, March 28, at the Indiana Pacers game at Conseco Fieldhouse. Game time is 7 p.m. Tickets ordered through Purdue Bands can be purchased at a discounted price offered by the Pacers. Ticket orders begin March 3; contact Alisha Kuckartz at 494-9115 for order information.

HOME