FAMU trustees: Band suspension will remain in place
FAMU President James Ammons has decided to suspend the marching band for the next school year.
May 14th, 2012
11:37 AM ET

FAMU trustees: Band suspension will remain in place

The Florida A&M University marching band will remain suspended through the 2012-2013 academic year while the school works to set new rules following the fatal hazing of a band member, university President James Ammons said in a conference call Monday with trustees.

"I was heavily influenced by the need to be respectful to Robert Champion's family as well as the other victims," Ammons said. " A young man lost his life and others suffered serious injuries."

Authorities say Champion, 26, was badly beaten during a hazing incident on a band bus after a football game in Orlando last November. He died within an hour of the attack. Others hazing incidents that resulted in injuries to band members also have been reported.

Ammons said the band must be restructured and the "limited time frame" between now and autumn is not enough time to accomplish that.

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Filed under: Crime • Florida • Justice • U.S.
soundoff (7 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    Huh.

    May 14, 2012 at 1:23 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Alex

    As much as I support and encourage the symphany, encouragement and love we should show to the Champion family, we must also consider the band members that are active no NOT engaging in the WILLFUL practices of hazing. As tragic as this is, Robert Champion WILLFULLY engaged in activities in which he had been entrusted to disrupt, stop and report to HIGHER AUTHORITIES than the AUTHORITY HE HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED! As Head Drum Major in Waiting, He shouldve not only boarded that bus but souldve also been to first to report to police any information he had concerned the planned ritual. This is shared responsibility here or am I missing something? Was he abducted at gunpoint to enter the bus? Did he not know what was upon entering? Did Dr. White and/or the police ignore his information? My understanding is that he was a 26 year old band member and shouldve been well beyond the 18 year old validation seeking freshman mentality.

    May 14, 2012 at 3:48 pm | Report abuse |
    • MAria

      Even though ALL should not be punished FAMU is taking this step to CYA...

      May 15, 2012 at 8:48 am | Report abuse |
  3. Alex

    ***sympathy, .....that are actice
    shouldve....been the first
    There is shared

    May 14, 2012 at 3:50 pm | Report abuse |
  4. NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

    There is a lot of crack smoking and abuse that happens in these bands.

    May 14, 2012 at 5:14 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Phil Spectre

    The preferred drug of a young black man in Florida is PCP. Do your research. This PCP use should not stand!

    May 14, 2012 at 5:16 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Patrice

    First of all-BAND!???? A band member beating someone up?!!!!!! WOW things have really changed in the world of band... I guess they have to resort to beating one another up now! This is horrible! There was a time when band member on any lever LOVED, and RESPECTED one another like brothers and sisters. They were family so to speak, and now this. AND AT COLLEGE LEVEL AT THAT! JR. HIGH SCHOOL levels act more mature than these fools!

    May 15, 2012 at 9:01 am | Report abuse |
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