Recognition Awards

The Bloo Ribbon Award recognizes outstanding performers and/or program participants for any Bluecoats program. These individuals exemplified the highest standard of excellence as a Bluecoat, both on and off the performance stage.

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to the organization in ways vital to its operations in a behind-the-scenes role. Whether serving as a staff member, volunteer, driver, sewer, donor, or any other key supportive role, the efforts of the individual are exemplary of the excellence of the organization.

Individuals for both awards are nominated by the Bluecoats Community, reviewed by the Recognition Committee, and elected each year by the Board of Directors.

2024

Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award

Bluecoats Unsung Hero Award

2023

Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award

Bluecoats Unsung Hero Award

2022

Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award

  • Nancy Johnson started as a guard member, marching in 1981 and 1982 and participated in the 1982 winter guard as well. She devoted her own time, finances, and exceptional skill sets to work with the corps Alumni with over the last eight consecutive years of coordinating Alumni activities and helping the corps in a variety of ways.

Bluecoats Unsung Hero Award

  • Brian Hartman is the recipient of the award for 2022, serving as Bluecoats Alumni video historian. Brian curates and posts a weekly “rewind” segment on Bluecoats Alumni social media and has championed each March a “Marched Madness” tournament akin to the NCAA Basketball tournament.

2019

Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award

  • Errick Jose Prince played soprano with the corps in 1994 and 1995. He has been a member of the Bluecoats brass staff for 8 years.

  • John David Mayo was a member of the Bluecoats from 1993 – 1998. He played soprano for 4 years and served as drum major for 2 years. He has been a member sponsor and a conducting volunteer with the Blue Way clinics.

Bluecoats Unsung Hero Award

  • Jon Millsap is the Bluecoats Stage Manager and Associate Tour Manager. He has helped over the years with the sets used in Bluecoats’ shows, with camp registrations, and assisting with serving meals.

  • Paul Todd has been a volunteer driver since 2012 and has been a frequent volunteer on the food truck during spring training.

2018

Bloo Ribbon Bluecoat Award

  • Christian Alcantara is a proud alum of the Bluecoats drum corps and a cast member of the inaugural season (2018) of the Bluecoats Indoor Winter Guard. He was the 2013 Bluecoats color guard “Rookie of the Year.” Christian is one of a very few Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International participants to reside in Hawaii. He has taught several guard programs in Hawaii including the Millilani High School guard. Christian moved the 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Indianapolis in order to march with Bluecoats Indoor and helped the group reach the WGI World Class finals in 2018.

  • Kevin Armbruster joined the Bluecoats at its inception in 1972. He played mellophone and soprano bugle during his 7 years as a member. In 1982 he served as a brass instructor and became the brass caption head in 1983. He served in this position for several years including 1987 when the corps attained DCI Finalist status for the first time. Kevin has continued to support the Bluecoats as an arranger with the alumni group Rhythm In Blue and has been a participant in the annual “History Night” during spring training.

  • Brian Bambauer was with the Bluecoats from 1988-1996 as a member, drum major, and visual caption head. In 1997 he became the visual caption head for Carolina Crown and was their drill designer in 1998-2000. With Crown Brian became the first finalist drill writer who was an alumnus of the Bluecoats. Brian became Operations Director with Crown and serves on their Board of Directors and Advisory Council. He is now a well respected principal in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina.

  • Charles Stewart became a member of the Bluecoats in 1993 playing contrabass. And was selected as the “Rookie of the Year.” The following two years Charles served as the drum major and won numerous “Best Drum Major” awards at various DCI events in ’94 and ’95. After his age-out year he became an instructor on the brass staff. Charles continues to serve the corps as the manager of the annual “Blue Way Experience” that allows students to spend a weekend with the Bluecoats instructors and members. He is the band director at Jeffersontown High School in Louisville, KY.

Bluecoats Unsung Hero Award

  • Anthony “Duck” Mallard is an alum of the corps. For many years he has devoted countless hours to assisting with the Bluecoats bingo games, working on the food truck, driving and performing with the alumni group Rhythm In Blue.

  • Bill Roubanes is also an alum of the Bluecoats. In the 1980s he often helped the corps as a driver and volunteer where needed. Since the formation of Rhythm In Blue in 2014 he has performed in every event the group has taken part in. He has also provided the group with a rehearsal facility.