More than a year after the tragic hazing death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion’s death, a report from Florida state officials claims that the school did not abide by state hazing laws for years prior to Champion’s death. The Florida Board of Governors’ 32-page report detailed the school’s inability to prevent or counterattack [...]
First Defendant Sentenced For Role In Death Of FAMU Drum Major
October 22, 2012 | Posted by
The first of a dozen defendants charged in the hazing death of Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion escaped a judge’s wrath, but wasn’t as fortunate in landing forgiveness from the grieving parents. Champion, 26, was a member of the college’s famed “Marching 100” band when he was beaten to death on Nov. 19 [...]
FAMU Seeking Mediation in Hazing Death Lawsuit
August 16, 2012 | Posted by
Florida A&M University trustees approved a motion today to proceed with mediation with the family of Robert Champion, the Marching 100 drum major who died on a band bus Nov. 19 following a hazing ritual. Rick Mitchell, an attorney from Orlando, is representing the university in its defense. He said the university’s goal is to [...]
New Interim FAMU President Named
July 16, 2012 | Posted by
In the wake of the marching band scandal, James Ammons declared he would step down as president of Florida A&M in October. The school’s governing board did not want to wait until then, so it reached a deal to have Ammons step down immediately. With a bonus of $98,000 in tow, Ammons agreed to expedite [...]
In Wake of Robert Champion Death, Black Fraternities and Sororities Form Coalition Against Hazing
June 1, 2012 | Posted by
In the wake of the hazing death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, and the subsequent charges against 13 of the band’s members, a coalition of black fraternities and sororities has come together to speak out against hazing practices. The coalition, led by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and member Al Sharpton, addressed reporters [...]
Defendant: Florida A&M Drum Major Who Died Wanted to be Hazed
May 23, 2012 | Posted by
A Florida A&M drum major who died after being hazed on a bus asked to go through the ordeal because it was seen as an honor, a criminal defendant in the case said in a deposition released Wednesday Robert Champion, 26, had asked all season to go through the hazing ritual, defendant Jonathan Boyce said. [...]
FAMU Band Suspension Extended Another Year
May 14, 2012 | Posted by
Florida A&M University’s famed marching band is being suspended for at least one more school year as officials try to cleanse the hazing culture that led to the death of a drum major, the school’s president said Monday. FAMU President James Ammons said the Marching 100 should stay off the field at least until a [...]
FAMU Band Suspended
May 11, 2012 | Posted by
A day after Julian White, longtime director of the Florida A&M University marching band, announced his retirement, the school’s band remains suspended pending an investigation into the band’s conduct after the death of drum major Robert Champion last year. The band, nicknamed “The Marching 100,” held a roster of 457 people entering fall 2011, but [...]
FAMU Band Director Steps Down
May 10, 2012 | Posted by
The beleaguered director of Florida A&M University’s marching band announced Thursday that he was stepping down from the suspended marching unit even as Florida’s top state university official asked that the band be kept off the field because of a hazing scandal. Eleven Florida A&M, or FAMU, band members have been charged with felony hazing [...]
Robert Champion’s Mother: Prosecutors Should Set an Example With FAMU Hazing Charges
May 3, 2012 | Posted by
Pam Champion, who lost her son Robert to hazing by FAMU band members last September, said she was disappointed that most of the 13 band members charged in the case are facing felony hazing, which brings a maximum sentence of just six years. Asked by CNN’s Anderson Cooper whether she was hoping for murder or [...]
