The executive director of Drum Corps International has suggested that the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps not march competitively in the summer of 2006, and the president of the board fears that such an action could kill the group altogether.

"DCI is strongly suggesting that we lay out a year," said Ted Gilbert, the board's president. "If we lay out a year, we're done."

The stark possibilities stem from DCI's termination of the Troopers as a Division I-level drum corps, which would effectively prohibit the Troopers from competitive marching until they regain the association's recognition. The stern action was taken against the Troopers for, among other issues, failing for the past five-plus years to submit tax information to the DCI in a timely manner.

"We've been lax in doing that," Gilbert said. "That's what we're working on right now. They want copies of IRS forms from several back years."

DCI had considered suspending the Troopers before the 2005 summer touring season, but the group's board of directors - comprised of executive directors of accredited drum corps - chose to let them march. During DCI's fall meetings, held over the weekend in Chicago, the board voted unanimously to sever the relationship until the Troopers board gets organized.

Mat Krum, the Troopers executive director, resigned Monday. Gilbert said that someone has volunteered to act as the interim director, though the board still has to decide whether or not to vote that person in.

"It's hugely challenging to operate a touring group," said Dan Acheson, DCI's executive director. "You're talking several hundred thousand dollars to operate on a regular basis. The Troopers, not unlike most organizations, have a lot of dedicated people. Sometimes they're not as on top of things as they need to be."

Troopers Promotions Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Though the IRS filed tax liens on the Troopers in 1996 (for $36,137.72) and 2001 ($6,168.08), the group has paid off both debts and not encountered the same problems since. The problems between the DCI and the Troopers were created, both sides said, by a lack of communication between the two and not any issues between the Troopers and the IRS.

But the Troopers still have much to do before DCI decides whether or not to let them march in 2006. Gilbert reasoned that the pool of corps members - made up predominantly from out-of-state recruits - would dwindle if the Troopers could not perform in those summer drum corps competitions. Though current members of the Troopers are vowing to return next summer no matter what, Gilbert said those young minds could change if the corps is not able to compete.

Gilbert said Tuesday that the Troopers hope to prove they can operate up to DCI's standards by November. Acheson said that it is more important for the Troopers to have a successful recovery than a speedy one.

"It really is too early to tell (if they will march next summer)," Acheson said. "There are a lot of issues that the Troopers' board of directors needs to assess. From DCI's point of view, we want to do everything we can to assist them.

"This is about the long-term survival and health of the Troopers, of the organization."

Contact city reporter Cory Matteson at (307) 266-0589 or cory.matteson@casperstartribune.net.