Today in 1982 - The 1982 DCI Finals

August 21, 1982 – The Blue Devils won the 1982 Drum Corps International World Championship at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

Here are the results:

1. Blue Devils 95.25
2. Santa Clara Vanguard 93.55
3. Garfield Cadets 92.25
4. Phantom Regiment 92.15
5. Madison Scouts 90.75
6. 27th Lancers 88.65
7. Crossmen 88.05
8. Bridgemen 86.15
9. Freelancers 85.80
10. Sky Ryders 83.10
11. Cavaliers 81.95
12. Spirit of Atlanta 81.65

Notables

• The Blue Devils’ score of 95.25 was the highest score ever up to that time and was the highest score ever in the history of the tick system.  The tick system was replaced in 1984.
  
• This was the Sky Ryders’ first appearance in DCI Finals.
  
• There was a lot of movement between Prelims and Finals that year.  The Cavaliers moved past Spirit of Atlanta for 11^th place.  The Bridgemen beat the Freelancers for 8^th place.  The 27^th Lancers passed the Crossmen for 6^th place.
  
• The Garfield Cadets jumped from 5^th in Prelims to 3rd place in Finals, eclipsing both the Madison Scouts and Phantom Regiment.  This was the biggest jump since 1979, when the Guardsmen jumped from 10^th to 7^th place.
  
• What was traditionally the 50 yard line was actually the 55 yard line, because it was a Canadian Football League field.  The judges’ box was on the 50 on side 2, which was to the right of the 55.
  
• It was the last DCI Finals in some kind of domed stadium until 2009 when Finals was held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

To see the results of this and more from the 1982 season, including the caption winners, go to www.corpsreps.com or directly to the page at 1982 DCI Finals. 

If you want to learn more about the drum and bugle corps activity, go to www.dci.org and www.dcacorps.org.  If you’re interested in learning more about one of the corps featured in today’s blog, click the corps name in the standings.