DCI

A Decade Of Dominance: Who Has Been The Best Corps For The Last 10 Years?

A Decade Of Dominance: Who Has Been The Best Corps For The Last 10 Years?

Which corps have had the ability to sustain success over the last 10 years in DCI?

May 9, 2018 by Michael Gilley
A Decade Of Dominance: Who Has Been The Best Corps For The Last 10 Years?

Being able to sustain success is one of the hallmarks of any great organization—including drum corps. Since 2008, the Blue Devils have undoubtedly had one of the most successful runs in DCI history. 

But it may surprise you to know the average high score of corps since 2008 and how all of those groups stack up against each other.

Ten DCI World Championships have been handed out since 2008 and the Blue Devils have gone home with six of them. No other corps has won more than one championship in the same time frame. 

Phantom Regiment was able to capture the crown in 2008. That was Regiment's first since a tie with the Blue Devils in 1996. The Cadets added to their impressive collection of DCI hardware in 2011 with their 10th world championship. 

Carolina Crown captured its first championship in 2013 becoming the first new DCI champion since Phantom won its first in 1996. Then in 2016, the Bluecoats won their first DCI title.

Since the 2008 season, there have been 120 spots for corps to make DCI Finals and only 16 different corps have made finals. Nine of those 16 have made it to finals in all 10 years. 

The highest average final score for any corps that has NOT made it to finals since 2008 goes to the Colts, with an average of 83.310. That beats out Troopers, The Academy, and Spirit of Atlanta, who have all made finals at least once.

Interestingly enough, a corps that hasn't been active since 2012 is still up there in terms of average final score. The Glassmen folded following their 2012 season but still sit in 12th with an average final score of 85.280 and three finals performances.


Corps Name

Avg. Final Score

Finals Apps.

Titles

1Blue Devils98.369106
2Carolina Crown96.791101
3The Cadets95.461101
4Bluecoats94.759101
5Santa Clara Vanguard94.700100
6The Cavaliers93.865100
7Phantom Regiment92.586101
8Boston Crusaders89.099100
9Blue Knights88.954100
10Blue Stars88.03690
11Madison Scouts86.90680
12Glassmen*85.28030
13Crossmen84.34550
14Colts83.31000
15Troopers82.95810
16The Academy82.72610
17Spirit of Atlanta81.76530

*Folded after 2012 season