The Sound of Silence Hangs Over FAMU Band After Drum Major's Hazing Death

by Frederick H. Lowe
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) marching band, which has been under suspension since November, following the hazing death of a drum major, will remain on suspension through the 2012-2013 academic year, James H. Ammons, FAMU's president, told the school's trustees on Monday.

Extension of the suspension was necessary because of a number of issues, including the recent retirement of the long-time band director, Julian White, the dismissal of two unnamed faculty members and unresolved issues surrounding the operation and regulation of the band, Ammons said.

“Paramount was the death of Robert Champion, Jr.,” he explained. “As president, my goal is to implement the best conditions by which we can create a safe environment for teaching, learning and research to take place and to ensure that such safety carries through to all of our student organizations, including the band.”

Florida A&M is located in Tallahassee. The 26-year-old Champion died Nov. 19, from internal injuries from punches sustained during a hazing ritual in Orlando, Fla. 

The 375-member Marching “100” Florida A&M band traveled there to participate in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Florida Classic against Bethune-Cookman University. After returning to the band’s bus, Champion complained that he could not breathe. He then collapsed, and an ambulance rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Prosecutors have charged 11 band members with felonies and two with misdemeanors.

Champion was gay, and the National Black Justice Coalition, a Washington, D.C.-based black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization, had pushed law-enforcement officials to file charges against some of the band members. Champion's death also affected band members not implicated in his death.

Band Fraternity Drops Florida A&M
Kappa Kappa Psi, the honorary band fraternity, also announced on Monday that it voted to remove the Delta Iota Chapter at Florida A&M from its roster of active chapters for at least five years or until May 3, 2017.

“This decision was based primarily upon hazing activities that occurred, as well as other related issues, including a failure to follow policies of the national organization and uncertainty of the future leadership and direction of the university and music department,” fraternity officials said. “All undergraduate members of Delta Iota chapter in the spring semester of 2010 have been expelled. All prospective members—those in the joining process—during the spring semester of 2010 have been expelled. Any members of the fraternity, including alumnus members who were present at the incident that led to the investigations and sanctions have been expelled. A total of 28 individuals have been expelled from Kappa Kappa Psi.” The fraternity, which was founded in 1919, is based in Stillwater, Okla.

Florida A&M also will set conduct guidelines before the Florida A&M Marching 100 will be reinstated.

They are:
•    Academic standards to be eligible to participate in the band
•    Length of time an individual is permitted to participate
•    The length of practice time
•    The number of adults accompanying the band on out-of-town trips
•    Enforcing travel procedures

The Marching 100 is world famous because of its colorful uniforms, its talented musicians and its choreography on the football field. Ammons said FAMU is working with unnamed groups to produce alternative entertainment for football games pending the band's return.

“The administration will present a plan for the band's return and a restructuring of the music department to the board of trustees at its June meeting,” he said.