Sie Lurye was one of the first to recognize the importance of sponsorships to support and foster drum and bugle corps activity and was able to assemble a diverse group in the support young people in the Chicago area. He deeply believed that junior drum and bugle corps activity was a tremendous instrument to combat juvenile delinquency, which was a continent-wide concern in the 1950s. In the early fall of 1954, he began an association with the Alamo Rangers, and in 1957 was appointed the corps manager with a vision to create a competitive unit. The renamed Chicago Royal Airs struggled in 1958 and 1959, but expanded and improved as the corps incorporated neighborhood youth. With assistance and eager participation from the corps itself, he helped to bring an element of showmanship to drum corps activity. Through his efforts and leadership, the Royal Airs, and the activity in general, saw vast improvements in the early 1960s. Many observers have named the Chicago Royal Airs of 1965 as the best corps ever.
*Deceased
