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Two years after hazing death, Florida A&M band returns

Jordan Culver
USA TODAY Sports
  • School suspended all band activities after a hazing incident caused a drum major%27s death in 2011
  • Florida A%26M lifted the suspension in June%2C noting sweeping changes to end culture of hazing
  • Band returned for Florida A%26M%27s opener%2C but is less than half the size it was before suspension

ORLANDO – Two years after a hazing incident caused the death of a drum major and led to the suspension of the famed band at Florida A&M, fans welcomed the Marching 100's return to the football field Sunday.

"It felt good to be back on the field," said Thaddeus Stegall, the band's field commander.

The band entered the Citrus Bowl before kickoff and gave its return performance at halftime of Florida A&M's season-opening game against Mississippi Valley State.

The Florida A&M University Marching 100  band performs  Sunday in Orlando.

Anthony Siders, president of FAMU's Student Government Association, called it a stellar show.

"It was nothing short of a Marching 100 performance," he said.

The band had not performed at a football game since the Florida Classic in November 2011, after drum major Robert Champion collapsed and died following a hazing ritual on a bus parked at an Orlando hotel. The ritual occurred shortly after the band had returned to its hotel after performing at the game.

Fifteen former band members were charged with manslaughter and felony hazing in Champion's death. Seven have accepted pleas that included probation and community service-related sentences. Another has pleaded guilty but hasn't been sentenced, and the rest are awaiting trial.

School officials lifted the nearly two-year suspension for the band in June as the latest in several changes FAMU made in an attempt to end a culture of hazing. The fallout from Champion's death included the departure of the band's longtime director and the abrupt resignation of the university's president, James Ammons.

At a news conference last month to formally announce the band's return performance, FAMU's interim president, Larry Robinson, reiterated the school's measures, including a new student code of conduct, new procedures to report and investigate hazing, an anti-hazing website, assigning faculty to research hazing and more.

"This band will be a model of excellence for other bands across this nation. It will actually focus on its founding principles of character, academics, leadership, marching and service," Robinson said of the band's return. "When you look at all these actions that we've taken in total, we are fairly confident that we are about to launch a new era and a new understanding and appreciation as to why hazing is not necessary to advance these principles."

The band is back but noticeably smaller – the band's 145 members are less than half of the 420 it had before the Novermber 2011 suspension. The section in which the Marching 100 sits also has noticeable gaps.

"We're able to be closer with our band members and get to know them on a more personal level," Stegall said. "We're hoping it motivates our members to have a cleaner show."

Champion's parents, Pam and Robert Champion, Sr., said in a phone interview with the Associated Press that they were opposed to the band's return right now, calling it a decision based on extra revenue the school stands to make with the band's return.

"I do believe that it's too soon," Pam Champion said. "I don't see anything that's different to ensure the safety of those students. Everything that has been put in place is not something that was done voluntarily."

She also said she hoped sentences for the remaining defendants in the criminal cases will send a message.

"What I would say is what I've said all along. There is an opportunity to send a strong message, and it's the only thing that will be a deterrent," she said. "So far that message has not been sent to eradicate hazing all together."

The Champions have pending wrongful-death lawsuits against FAMU and the company that owns the bus in which the hazing took place.

Robinson attended a pep rally with the band Saturday. He said the group still sounds like the best band in the nation.

"They have a sound you can hear a mile away and say, 'That's the Marching 100,' " Robinson said. "The band is back. Now we need the fans back."

Jennifer Ceten, a FAMU fan and mother of the team's long snapper, Tyler Riley, said having the band back brings a new level of excitement to games. Last year, without the band, she said there was something missing from the FAMU football experience.

"Last year was fun but it's just hard when you can't get that full band experience," she said.

Tommy Mitchell, president of FAMU's Alumni Association, said the band's return is sure to put fans in seats.

"We've got the No. 1 and No. 2 bands in the nation," he said jokingly. "The third spot is vacant and everyone in fourth is just trying to play catch-up."

Jordan Culver also writes for the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat, a Gannett property

Contributing: The Associated Press

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