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FAMU Band Suspended

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 it has since been revealed that 101 of them were not FAMU students. Of those, 52 had previously been enrolled at the school, and 49 were enrolled in other Florida area schools.

A total of 13 people were charged earlier this month in the hazing-related death of Champion, who passed away in November. White’s retirement adds another page to a terrible chapter for one of America’s most historic marching bands. FAMU has not released a statement regarding White’s retirement, or the reinstatement of the band.

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