THE MARCHING COBRAS, Kansas City, Missouri’s premier performing unit, are nationally and internationally known for their exciting, dynamic and colorful routines. The history of the Cobras, though not as well known, is just as dramatic and unique as their performances.

In 1969 the Kansas City Missouri Board of Education hired Mr. Willie Arthur Smith as a teacher of 7th and 8th grade social studies at Lincoln Academy South. Undoubtedly, they had no idea they were hiring the man who would become Kansas City’s most productive and visible goodwill ambassador.

A graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BS in Social Studies and newly arrived in Kansas City from Prescott, Arkansas, his home town. Mr. Smith began his teaching duties at Lincoln Junior and quickly proved himself to be a man of unusual vision. In an interview broadcast on national television, Willie Arthur Smith, Founder, Director and Drillmaster of the
Cobras, recalled how it all began…

“When I first came to Lincoln I immediately became concerned about the lack
of constructive outside activities available to the children of the ‘inner-city’ area.
I saw the need for a positive, structured activity that would provide both a social
outlet and some meaningful experiences for the young people as an alternative to
hanging around on the streets. In September, 1969 I entered 13 young boys in a
school talent show and they won first place. Within a year’s time the number in
the group had tripled and has grown steadily ever since. Originally an all boys
unit, girls were admitted in 1976 and Ms. Wilma Cain, one of our most valued
supporters, came on board as my assistant. In those early years they were called
simply the Lincoln Junior High’s Boy Drill Team. Leacy Hollingsworth, then the
Librarian at Lincoln, was responsible for the name COBRAS. Watching them
perform one day, she jokingly told me they should be called the COBRAS because
they were as fast and swift as a snake. They’ve been the COBRAS ever since.”

The name is certainly appropriate considering the lightening speed of their maneuvers and
the dexterity with which they twist and gyrate to the beat of the drums. It has been said that
rather than being a simple “drill team”, the COBRAS are dancers as well as a drill team. Willie Smith says his group is more accurately called a performing unit.

“Most people think they’re going to see a left-right-left marching drill, but the COBRAS are all
over the place. It’s not a drill, it’s not a dance. It’s actually a swinging drill, dance, patty-cake and twist. The COBRAS don’t march---they PERFORM !!!”

Watching a COBRA performance is an eyeful. Even Willie Smith has difficulty trying to verbally describe what they do. Reporters stretch both their imaginations and their vocabularies
To reach little used adjectives and verbs in an effort to commit to paper the essence of a COBRA performance. George Sherman, Sports Editor of the St. Joseph Gazette, came close by describing the affect the COBRAS had on him:

“Fans were treated to one of the liveliest, sharpest, most exciting half-time shows that
jaded old eyes have witnessed anywhere. See a foot anywhere in sight remained stiff
when THE MARCHING COBRAS came tumbling and prancing from all directions
onto the basketball court. I can’t remember when my adrenaline has ever been higher
or the blood pumping through my veins has ever engendered more excitement and
stimulation. I’ll bet you can’t be anywhere in their vacinity without being stirred from
the top of your head to the tips of your tippy toes and I’ll betcha something else, too,
you’ll never be able to watch and listen to ‘em without tapping your foot to that
marvelous, exciting rhythm. Kansas City can be proud of its COBRA.”

The COBRAS are made up of 150 elementary, junior and senior high school students from all over the greater Kansas City area who came from both states Missouri and Kansas. Motivation in the group is high. The members are expected to accept responsibility and are encouraged to be creative. Discipline in the group is strict and everyone must meet eligibility standards of good conduct and scholastic achievement.

The influence on the youth of the community is far greater than just the COBRA members themselves. The children of the neighborhood can be seen imitating COBRA STEPS and it is apparent that the eligibility standards for personal conduct and educational achievement are also being simulated as a result of the COBRAS’ popularity and success. Neighborhood children aren’t the only ones imitating the COBRAS. The “Cobra Book” is popping up all over as other groups seek to cash in on the audience appeal that has resulted in more invitations
From around the country than the COBRAS can possibly afford to accept.

The COBRAS have won over 280 first place awards and trophies in competition and their List of special performances reads like that of a professional group. They’ve starred in several television commercials and other media advertising campaigns, have been invited to perform Twice for the President of the United States, and have done a TV pilot show in Hollywood with all expenses paid for their efforts. But like most success stories, it hasn’t happened overnight. They started practicing in all kinds of weather in Willie Smith’s front yard and walked five miles to their first “public” performance. Adult volunteers attracted to the glamour of the popular group have come and gone, sometimes causing (as adults are so much more prone to do than children) more trouble than they were worth. Willie Smith has remained the heart and soul of the COBRAS throughout its 34 year history, building the organization with “blood, sweat, and tears” and every penny he could spare from the meager salary of a teacher. While the last few years have been kinder, only a man of true dedication whose chief concern was “his kids” could have stuck it out through so many lean years. He freely admits that he loves performing; being what he calls “out front”. And, he certainly enjoys the success of the COBRAS. He’s a “public figure” whose accomplishments are seen by many as an outstanding example of commitment to youth. Although personally the recipient of numerous public service awards, Willie gives the credit for all it to God.

Over the past 17 years the COBRAS have been sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City and thanks to a special grant from the United Way and the support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City. The merger of THE MARCHING COBRAS with the Boys and Girls Clubs benefited both and Willie Smith readily expresses his appreciation for the support he has received from the Boys & Girls Clubs Board of Directors and its Executive Director, David Smith and his Assistant Jeff Atkins

This is an anxious time. On March 27, 2003, Founder Willie Smith and the COBRAS Board of Directors made a decision and decided it was time for us to spread our wings, step out on faith and stand on our own, something that Willie Smith has had on his heart to do for some time and wants to successfully fulfill this dream. We are excited about our decision and we will continue to deliver the most spectacular performance you’ve ever seen in your life!