Robert “Woody” Woodhams was a member of the Rochester Crusaders from 1959 until 1975, serving two terms on the board of directors during this time. In 1997 he and wife Anne became associated with the Empire Statesmen. In 1998 Woody played mellophone during the corps undefeated season, including taking first place at the World Show Band championships in England. Woody also helped with planning the corps trip to England. In 1999 Woody joined his wife in running the booster operation including product design, ordering and sales. They ran this program until 2004, when they restarted the Statesmen Honor Guard section. They participated in the honor guard until 2008. Since retiring from his “day job” in 2001, Woody worked with Vince Bruni in the Statesmen office assuming many of the day to day responsibilities of operating the drum corps until Mr. Bruni’s passing in 2003. Also in 2001 Woody was elected to the first class of Associate Members of the WDCHOF. Since first joining the Statesmen, Woody has supported the corps by volunteering at bingo games. In 2010 Woody became a member of the Empire Statesmen Coordinating Committee. Every year since 1998 the Woodhams have opened their home to countless out of town corps members, providing food, warm beds and occasionally a few “band-aids.”
