Drums Corps International announced last week it was canceling the 2020 summer tour due to COVID-19.

NORTH CANTON It was one of the hardest and most emotional phone calls Mike Scott has made.

With about 300 Canton Bluecoat corps members, staff and family on the call, the organization’s chief executive officer delivered the season-ending news.

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Drums Corps International had canceled the 2020 summer tour.

The international organization made the decision last week to ensure the safety and health of its members and fans.

Scott, who sits on the DCI board, said it was an agonizing decision but one that had to be made.

While devastating to drum corps participants and fans, the decision to forgo the season threatens the viability of corps across the United States and, locally, leaves the Bluecoats in a financial quandary.

"It’s been a tough couple of weeks," Scott said. "The real tragedy is it threatens the very existence of every organization in the league."

Bluecoats officials have been forced to make tough decisions, laying off the majority of their nearly 200 staff members most of who are contracted employees.

Scott said the organization also has about $500,000 in liabilities associated with the upcoming season and there is no revenue coming in, making it difficult to repay the money.

No bingo

Besides donations, camps and ticket sales, the group relies on the income generated from bingo games they host.

Champion Bingo, held three times a week, draws about 300 people each week, Scott said.

Due to the governor’s restrictions on large gatherings, the group closed its North Canton bingo hall more than two weeks ago.

It takes about $2.5 million each year to keep the operation running, Scott said. That includes upkeep of the bingo hall, salaries, health care costs and all it takes to put on the show from uniforms, instruments, props, transportation and food.

The bingo games, which run all year, are a major income source, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars to the organization’s coffers.

"It’s vitally important," Scott said. "Not because of the percentage of the fundraising, but because it runs consistently. It operates year-round."

With no income, officials have had to figure out how to cut expenses while repaying corp members, ticket holders and those who were planning to attend educational events hosted by the Bluecoats.

"I got on the phone and canceled the dumpster pickup," Scott said. "I’m trying to do whatever I can. We operate on thin margins."

While there have been tough calls made, the organization, Scott said, believed it was important to ensure employees continue to get health benefits.

"It’s a major financial crisis, but we refuse to eliminate health care without an alternative. We can’t go without health care in the middle of a pandemic."

An emotional toll

The 2020 edition of the corps already was set. Auditions were held at the end of 2019 and members were in monthly rehearsals.

Staff began working on this year’s show last season, Scott said.

The season cancellation is taking an emotional toll on the members and staff.

The community, he said, also knows the impact. The Bluecoats host two drum corps shows, including the June Innovations in Brass competition and the Tour of Champions competition at Infocision Stadium in Akron. The Tour of Champions is the final event in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.

Those shows draw 10,000 enthusiasts to the area each year.

Scott pointed out the group’s mission is to provide educational opportunities and several events, including Inside the Stadium clinics and the Bluecoats Band of Excellence at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, had to be canceled.

Many alumni and supporters already have answered the Bluecoats’ call for help raising thousands of dollars, he said.

Some have donated their expenses such as tickets and camp fees back to the organization as a tax-deductible contribution.

Scott is asking fans to consider contributing the money they would have spent on a ticket to a Bluecoats show.

"If even half of those (who attend the shows) made the same investment they would at a show, that would be huge and it would help preserve the group," he said. "We take seriously our role as an ambassador and a local provider of education."

Several online fundraisers are ongoing, including the DCI-wide campaign #Marchon to support the corps.

While financial contributions are appreciated, Scott said, the emotional support they receive from the community is huge.

"The Canton community is so supportive and we want the community to know this is happening and we appreciate their support. We are going to do our best to stay the Canton Bluecoats," he added.

Even though the Bluecoats won’t take the field this year, the organization is looking for ways to give back to the community that supports them.

They have offered to their facility to Aultman Hospital during the crisis and plans to reach out to its loyal bingo customers to provide limited supplies such as food and toilet paper to anyone in need.

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com

On Twitter: @aknappINDE