Drum Major's Parents Slam Florida A&M University's Response To Suit

Florida A&M University's insistence that it is not to blame for drum major Robert Champion's death during a hazing ritual shows school officials are not taking responsibility for the safety of students, the band member's parents said Thursday.

Family: Disband FAMU Marching Band

The family of the Florida A&M University drum major who died in a hazing incident says the school should disband the marching band. Pam Champion, the mother of Robert Champion, said "You've got to clean house. That's the only thing."

Prosecutor: 13 Charged in FAMU Hazing Death

A prosecutor says 13 people will be charged in the death of Florida A&M university drum major who died after being beaten during a hazing ritual in November. 26-year-old Robert Champion died aboard a bus parked outside a hotel.

Death Of Florida A&M Drum Major Ruled A Homicide

A Florida A&M University drum major whose death revealed a culture of hazing within the school's famed marching band died from shock caused by internal bleeding after suffering blunt force trauma, officials said Friday.

Related articles

• Video: Drum major's hazing death ruled homicide (cbsnews.com)
• Family Wants Justice for Hazing Homicide (abcnews.go.com)
• Florida A&M Drum Major Was Beaten to Death (foxnews.com)

Attorney: There Was 'Culture of Hazing' At FAMU

An attorney for the family of a Florida A-and-M University band member who died from suspected hazing says the university had a history and `culture of hazing.' Christopher Chestnut made his remarks at a news conference in Georgia on Monday.

Related articles

• 'Culture of hazing' led to student's death: attorney (ctv.ca)
• Lawyer: Florida A&M has "culture of hazing" (cbsnews.com)
• Attorney: there was 'culture of hazing' at FAMU (newschannel5.com)
• Family of FAMU drum major calls for culture change after son's death (ajc.com)

FAMU Band Leader Drummed Out In Wake Of Death Linked To Hazing

By Tom Watkins, CNN

(CNN) -- The president of Florida A&M University moved Wednesday to dismiss the school's longtime band director in the wake of last weekend's hazing-linked death of a drum major in the school's famed marching band.

"The reason for this intended employment action is based upon your alleged misconduct and/or incompetence involving confirmed reports and allegations of hazing with the Department of Music and the 'Marching 100,'" President James H. Ammons said in a letter to Julian E. White. CONTINUE....

Related articles

• Florida A&M bands suspended after possible hazing death - CNN (edition.cnn.com)
• Mother: FAMU officials had been informed of hazing issues (cnn.com)
• SMH: Marching 100 Suspended, Sheriff Says Hazing Will Be Treated As Felony Following FAMU Drum Major Death (bossip.com)

Black College Football Hall Of Fame: Doug Williams Humbled By Latest Honor

By IRA KAUFMAN - The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA Doug Williams didn't practice his acceptance speech in advance of Saturday night, when the former Buccaneers quarterback was scheduled to be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

Besides, how do you simulate trying to talk through all those teardrops?

Williams, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, was honored along with 10 other players and coaches from historically black colleges and universities in a gala ceremony in Atlanta emceed by ex-Bucs coach Jon Gruden.

"It's a heck of a class and a heck of an honor," said Williams, who joined Pro Football Hall of Famers Mel Blount (Southern), Lem Barney (Jackson State), Bob Hayes (Florida A&M) and Art Shell (Maryland Eastern Shore) in the second induction group. "It's a first-class affair and this honor ranks right up there near the top."  CONTINUE....

FAMU's Probation Lifted

By: Josh King, Black College Wire

Despite short notice, more than a 300 students, faculty and members of the community attended an afternoon press conference on the Florida A&M University campus last week to hear the much-anticipated good news.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges removed FAMU from probationary status at the commission’s summer meeting. The university retains it accreditation.

“We are very proud of and excited for FAMU for all of their hard work to come into compliance with the commission’s standards; and therefore, get off of probation,” said SACS President Belle S. Wheelan.

FAMU president James Ammons called it “a great day for FAMU and the state of Florida."

He said the university had met the challenge. "We have been able to solve and address the critical issues that threatened the very existence of this university. Through our success, we have preserved this institution’s legacy for generations to come."

Florida A&M University's Probation Lifted....