Florida A&M band won't return in '12

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

OTL: FAMU Hazing: Tradition And Tragedy

In a feature that originally aired in March 2012, "Outside The Lines" examines how the death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion has shed light on a culture of hazing within the Marching 100 band.

OTL: FAMU Hazing: Tradition And Tragedy

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M University's famed marching band is being suspended until 2013.

FAMU president James Ammons told the school's board of trustees on Monday that he will keep The Marching 100 off the field for the upcoming school year.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges stemming from Robert Champion's death in November. Two others face misdemeanor counts.

Ammons suspended the band soon after Champion's death. Last week it was revealed that 101 band members of over 400 on the roster were not FAMU students at the time of the incident.

Longtime band director Julian White, who had been fighting to keep his job, abruptly decided to retire.

Top state officials including Gov. Rick Scott and the university system chancellor say the Marching 100 should remain sidelined until other ongoing investigations into the band are completed.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe