There's an interesting story which involves Butch Anderson, as to how, through a quirk of fate, he found a home with the Skyliners, while Jim Russo emerged as drum major of the Caballeros. Anderson was originally slated to come to Hawthorne from the Syracuse Brigadiers, and Russo was expected to go to the Skyliners as assistant to their drum major, Walter Winkleman. Russo happened to have stopped by unannounced to watch a Caballero drill practice, and was informed that Jim Costello wanted to see him. Costello unexpectedly offered Russo the drum major position, which of course, he was thrilled to accept. Under the circumstances, Anderson then went to the Skyliners. The two soon became close friends, in competition as well as off the field, and remained so for twenty-three years.