2004 Dave Watt

Dave Watt has been involved with the MCGC in some capacity for close to 20 years. His contributions to the color guard activity", both indoors and outdoors, have been tremendous. The list of units Dave has been involved with is extensive – too long to list. In the beginning, there was The Bandettes, Forte’ and Lakeview Chrysalis. In 2004 alone, he was involved with fifteen MCGC groups on some level (and some out of state). Dave has also played a key role in instructing, inspiring and mentoring many of our circuit’s instructors, judges and administrators. He concentrates on training “up and coming” instructors from his independent groups to become the next group of designers, technicians and judges within our circuit. When thinking of the West Michigan Winter Guard groups alone (Forte’, Crescendo and Interplay) over 45 names (as of 2004) came to mind immediately as instructors and designers in the MCGC, as well as MCBA, BOA, WGI and DCI – some of whom have gone on to national success, including an original four-year member of BLAST!

Dave has not only contributed to the color guard world as an instructor, designer, mentor and friend, but he has also played a key role in the administration of the MCGC and WGI. Dave has also played a significant part in the continuing education and growth of our circuit’s units, instructors and judges, spearheading the MCGC’s 2003 mission to educate our instructors on design and technique principals and promote growth within our WGI classes. The fruits of his labor are evident in the number and strength of our Regional A and WGI classes over the last few years, as well as the obvious increase in quality of design by our circuit as a whole. At our instructor and student clinics, Dave has generously volunteered his time and offered free show consultations to any member our circuit. Dave’s effort and dedication to the activity is evident in the higher quality design seen throughout our circuit at all levels.