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FAMU Band Director Steps Down

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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 in connection to the death of drum major Robert Champion in November. Known as the Marching 100, the band has been suspended, and director Julian White has been on administrative leave pending the results of ongoing investigations.

In a statement distributed by his lawyer, Chuck Hobbs, White announced his retirement after having “been a proud Rattler for more than half a century, first as a student member of the marching band and later as a drum major.”

“Dr. White remains a loyal FAMU Rattler and wishes his alma mater continued success in the future. He looks forward to spending more time with his family,” the statement noted.

There is no mention in the statement of the ongoing investigations at the school over hazing.

To read the rest of the story, go to LA Times

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