All Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) marching band performances have been suspended pending the investigation of the death of its drum major Nov. 19. Authorities believe hazing was involved.
Robert Champion, 26, was found unresponsive on a bus parked in front of an Orlando hotel Saturday night after the school’s loss to annual rival Bethune-Cookman, reports Boston.com. He had been vomiting and said he couldn’t breathe before he collapsed.
Thirty FAMU students were kicked out of the band this semester because of hazing. There are three active investigations.
Additionally, all bands and ensembles that operate under the supervision of the university music department have been suspended and the music director, Julian White, has been fired. White claims that he took several steps to combat hazing, including implementing a zero-tolerance policy, but that the university didn’t take hazing seriously, reports the Sun Sentinel.
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