I remember my first year in the Sunrisers back in 1987. We had a fairly small hornline for the time but we were a determined buncha mutts.
Many of us didn't expect our difficult show would be recognized or place as high as we wanted. But we worked hard to work our way up through the ranks in DCA. As the season continued, Bobby "Steinie" pressed us and promised we could recapture the glory days of the 1970s and prove our worth to the activity. He actually said we could win the whole thing. For my part, I know that lit a fire under me and I decided to dream big.
By the time the Barnum Show came around near season's end, we were a well-oiled machine and pumped for a conquest. We took home a win that night against our strongest competitors. We'd gone from the threat on everyone's heels to overtaking them.
DCA Prelims looked like it might be a washout. The rain was coming down in sheets and we were soaked. But our leadership gave us inspiration that day and we took the field hungry for a win. We opened up with a *wall of sound*in "Adventures on Earth" that was a bold statement: we were here to put on the performance of our lives. No matter WHAT Mother Nature threw at us! The crowd was on our side because while some other corps were wilting under the elements, we were giving our all in a spirited performace that captured their hearts.
With DCA Finals canceled due to the rain-soaked weekend, our Prelims win stood as the Championship win for the season. The following season built on that success, our ranks grew, and we continued with a strong run through 1989. I'm proud of having played a part in the resurgence of this great corps.
I have no doubt that the Sunrisers can pull together and reach down inside themselves to make 2007 a very special year for members, staffs, and believers. Good luck in your efforts to recapture the magic that made the Sunrisers so special to the activity. GO SUN!
Jim Reilly, Sunrisers, 1987-1989 Bari
