1954

1954 - Golden Knights Night

A snapshot of the scene. Photos courtesy of Joe Rogers.

1954 - Father Garner Letter

1954 - Father Garner Note

1954 On The Field

Photo courtesy of John Grogan.

1954 Concert

Notice the tower in the background...this is, of course, Wildwood, NJ. Photo courtesy of John Grogan.

1954 - Instruments For Good

Courtesy of Joe Silverstein.

1954 VFW Nationals Breakdown

1954 AL Nationals Breakdown

1954 Golden Knights

1954 - Bill Hayes

Bill Hayes in 1954, following the Golden Knights' first Nationals victory. Photo courtesy of Joe Rogers.

1954 - Golden Knights Night

GOLDEN KNIGHTS HAVE NIGHT - Deputy Mayor Gilbert W. Hewson congratulates Robert Yuknavage, drum major of Blessed Sacrament Church Corps, winner of VFW national drum and bugle title. Rev. Cornelius J. Boyle, pastor, smiles approval and Rev. Robert F. Garner, corps moderator, helps hold trophy last night on City Hall steps.

1954 - Laborman's Post Award

PRESENTS CHECK - a representative of Laborman's Post 9393, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Irvington, presents check for $800 to Rev. Robert Farner, moderator of Blessed Sacrament's Golden Knights, Newark drum corps which won national VFW championship. The presentation took place at Newark City Hall during a civic reception for the Knights. Looking on is Robert Yuknavage, drum major. Photo courtesy of Joe Rogers.

1954 National Champions

From the cover of the October 1954 issue of Midwest Corps News. Courtesy of John Krein.

1954 - BSGK Adminstrators

Photo taken at the Blessed Sacrament rectory in 1954. From Left to right are Father Robert F. Garner (moderator), Monsignor Cornelius J. Boyle (Pastor), Marty Nolan and Vince Walsh (Co-Directors). Courtesy of Jerry Dalton.

1954 - Watching The Show

August 21, 1954: CROWD WATCHES JUNIOR DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS COMPETITION AT EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM. (Note: John Leonhardt is third from right sitting on fence). Courtesy of Joe Rogers.

1954 - AL Nationals - DC

Photo courtesy of Al and Sunny Cohen

1954 Highlights

The Achievements of the "Cinderella Corps," as they have been called, will be a topic of conversation for many years to come. They demonstrated what can be done when a Corps has the spirit, courage, and determination to be National Champions. The Golden Knights displayed real courage and determination during the early months of the 1954 season when they were finishing second and sometimes third to such great Corps as Holy Name of Garfield, N.J., 1953 State and National Champions, and the colorful St. Joseph's Cadets of Newark. The GOLDEN KNIGHTS never gave up. Through sheer courage and dogged determination, they reached their peak in August when they won both National Championships, a feat accomplished only once before in Drum Corps history by a Junior Corps. This honor and distinction were gained by the great 1952 St. Vincent's Cadets of Bayonne, who have won so many titles over the years. It is our earnest hope that the GOLDEN KNIGHTS will be as successful in 1955 and for many years to come.

1954 Golden Knights

1954 AL Nationals Article

This article supported the cover photo of the October 1954 issue of Midwest Corps News. Courtesy of John Krein.

1954 Eddie Rooney's October Column

Notice Rooney's language: "Knocked 'em for a loop" was actually a 0.2 loss to Holy Name (Garfield) at the States and a 0.5 loss to Holy Name at the Dream. I guess a loss is a loss - but BS won both Nationals, nonetheless! Courtesy of John Krein.

1954 Cinderella Corps

The year was 1954 and the comments interesting. "...among the big five corps of the country for a good four years or more..." indeed! The Golden Knightgs placed in the top 5 in 19 of 21 Nationals entered between 1954 and 1970. They won 9 of those 21; placed 2nd in 2; placed 3rd in 3; placed 4th in 3; placed 5th in 2; and placed 7th in 2. The record:

1954 - 1955 Legion National Champs

1954 - Newark Armory Contest

1954 Newark Armory - This photo was taken at Newark Armory in January 1954. This was an unusual indoor winter contest sponsored by St.Joseph's Cadets of Newark. The Golden Knight horn players from left to right are Tom Sepe, Norman Jupa, Frank Dalton, Bob O'Connell, Bob Boyle, Dan Walsh. The drummers from left to right are John Grogan, Bill Sysyn, Joe Smith, Joe Porta, Ron Surdykowski, Ed Wywra, Ed Tomasula(bass drum) and John Krein (cymbals). Notes: "We finished 2nd to Holy Name, but only by 2 points. Holy Name scored 91.35 and we received a score of 89.30. As you can see, that was the very first contest of the 54 season and Holy Name was the defending National Champs. We knew we had improved since the '53 season and this was a hint of good things to come in 1954." - Jerry Dalton.

1954 - Newark Armory Contest

1954 Newark Armory - Photo was taken at the Newark Armory contest in January 1954. The Golden Knights from left to right are Walter Smith (bass drum) Tom Reilly, Jerry Dalton, Phil O'Connell, Hank Gabel (Guard Captain), Al Myler (rifle) and four unidentified flag bearers. Notice that BS did not start wearing the black bibs until half-way through the 54 season. - Courtesy of Jerry Dalton

1954 Paterson

This photo was taken at Paterson's Hinchcliff Stadium on June 13, 1954. BS finished second to Holy Name, but only by two and a half tenths of a point: 90.45 and vs. 90.20. Courtesy of Jerry Dalton.