Greg Lagola, Kathy Pearson, Larry Rebillot Inducted Into 2022 Bluecoats Hall of Fame

We’re pleased to announce the newest inductees to the Bluecoats Hall of Fame: Greg Lagola, Kathy Pearson, and Larry Rebillot. Members of the Bluecoats Hall of Fame are individuals whose history of outstanding contributions and dedication is worthy of the highest level of recognition by the organization’s Board of Directors.

Greg Lagola

Greg Lagola first joined the Bluecoats in 2013 as a guard choreographer and design team member. Then corps director David Glasgow stated that it very quickly became apparent that by applying the skills from his “real world” career, Greg could play a huge role in revolutionizing the identity of the corps. He approached Bluecoats with the idea of creating a uniform that can be dramatically changed every season to fit the concept of the show. With Greg’s creative and technical leadership, Bluecoats begun work on the three-year project that resulted in the 2016 Bluecoats costume - a design that completely shocked the drum corps world and forever changed the way all corps approach costume design.

Greg has also been instrumental in the design of the corps’ set from 2013 through today, including for the groundbreaking TILT (‘14), Kinetic Noise (‘15), and Bluecoats’ first championship production - Down Side Up (‘16).

Bluecoats Program Coordinator Dean Westman stated “It’s one thing to change an organization... and I think anyone who knows anything will tell you that Gregory Lagola has changed the Bluecoats. It’s an entirely different thing to change an entire activity. Since the 2016 Bluecoats first took the field on the DCI Tour Premiere, no top tier drum corps OR marching band has looked the same and they never will again. Greg Lagola changed the activity!”

Kathy Pearson

Kathy Pearson has been a vital force behind the success of the Bluecoats color guard since 2009. Former director David Glasgow stated that “In her 14 years with the corps, Kathy has been the “rock” of our guard staff, having served with four different caption heads.” She currently is the Assistant Caption Head, and was instrumental in many amazing seasons for the corps and guard including our first medal in 2010, and the incredible run of successful seasons the Bluecoats have enjoyed since 2014. In her career with the corps, the guard has finished in the top three at DCI finals in 2010, 2015, and 2019 - in no small part due to her efforts.

Bluecoats designer, choreographer and Hall of Fame member Jim Moore stated “Her teaching skills not only educate the students about color guard, but also about life. She is an ever present mother figure to her students and everyone around her. Her light shines bright for everyone to see. Her longevity speaks volumes about her as a teacher, person, and mentor.”

Current Bluecoats color guard caption head Lindsay Kusmierczak said of Kathy: “We affectionately call her our “Guard Mom,” not because she’s the typical supportive parent on the sideline, but because she cares for each guard and staff member as if we were her own family. Not only is Kathy kind and compassionate, she’s also an amazing technician, an expert organizer, and a leader that guides us all through her example. Kathy is a master of her color guard craft and a legend on the technical side of the color guard & pageantry arts activity.”

Larry Rebillot

Larry Rebillot has been a part of the Bluecoats family in every decade of the organization’s existence. He became a marching member (mellophone) in the late 1970s and went on to serve as the drum major in 1980 and 1981. He served as drum major for the DCI World Championship finalists the Bridgeman of Bayone, NJ in 1982 and 1983. That experience made him determined, in any way he could help, to see the Bluecoats achieve finalist status.

Larry returned to the Bluecoats in 1985 as the colorguard coordinator. He has worked with the corps as an instructor, designer, volunteer and led the Rhythm IN BLUE colorguard in their inaugural season. Larry has been a clinician for Bands of America and Winter Guard International and is the color guard director for the University of Cincinnati marching band. He currently serves as a member of the Bluecoats Board of Directors and is working as an instructor for the 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps. Only a select few can make claim to having been a part of the Bluecoats for the great majority of those 50 years. He has seen the corps become not only a DCI Championship finalist, but indeed a DCI Champion.