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Subscribe to RSSThe drum major of Florida A&M University's famous marching band died of hazing, according to authorities who ruled his death a homicide Friday.
Robert Champion, 26, of Decatur, Ga., died Nov. 19 after a football game in Orlando, Fla. The Orange County Medical Examiner's office said in a report obtained Friday by NBC News that Champion died of "blunt force trauma sustained during a hazing incident."
From the beginning, authorities suspected that hazing was involved in Champion's death. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said at the time that criminal charges were possible.
Julian White, the band's longtime director, was fired four days later for what the university said was his inability to stop hazing in the band and the music department.
FAMU has a history of problems with hazing:
- In 2001, a band member was hospitalized because of hazing.
- In 2006, fraternity brothers stood trial for alleged hazing.
- Earlier this year, the school confirmed that as many as 30 band members were released because of their involvement in hazing.
- In October, police arrested three band members on charges that they beat a female band member so severely during hazing rituals that they broke her thigh.
Another person claims hazing by Florida A&M band
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement said this week that its investigation of Champion's death had uncovered possible employee fraud and misconduct. An FDLE spokesman wouldn't discuss details of the investigation, but he told NBC station WESH of Orlando that it will now be handled separately from the criminal investigation of Champion's death.
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NBC station WESH of Orkando, Fla., contributed to this report by M. Alex Johnson of msnbc.com. Follow M. Alex Johnson on Twitter and Facebook.
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This is horrible no matter how one looks at it. I do have to wonder why this person is 26 years old and a drum major in college. Isn't that a bit old to be "hazing" activity? At 26 Americans still don't have the guts to say no and move on? At 26 couldn't someone actually go to college for a degree, not extra activities?
His age does not matter one iota. Many adults are bullies and many adults get bullied. This one died. Your views are very disturbing.
The guy wants to be part of the band, but somehow that translates to "he doesn't have the guts to say no and move on"? HE WAS BEATEN TO DEATH FOR WANTING TO JOIN IN A CAMPUS ACTIVITY, AND THAT MAKES HIM SOMEHOW RESPONSIBLE??????????????????????
Good God.
Does anyone know if this guy was actually INVOLVED in the playing part of the "game" of hazing? Isn't it possible that he was just a....oh...what's that word? "VICTIM".
Couldn't it be possible that he was just minding his own business and a group of large college boys tied him up and whatever? Am I the only one thinking something other than that he shouldn't have been in the band at his age?
Do any of you know if maybe he had some sort of learning disability that made being in a band actually NORMAL for him at his age? You know, there are no laws that say you can't play because you are 26. If he was voted in (which by the way, you don't get to choose if you make the band or not, it's by tryout, just like cheerleading), then he had every right to be playing. And for that he had to die???
Condolences to his family and friends.
Had to drop out of college twice for husband and kids. Earned "only" an A.A. degree.
If you ever hear about a grown a$# mother of 20 year olds playing drums in the Stanford band, rest assured that she is not retarded, perverted, confused as to her age and she most certainly will not have been violently hazed. She'll be living her dream. And showing the kids a thing or two about playing hard and having fun while maintaining individual character.
The point is this young man's dream was killed when he was. Don't confuse the victim with the perpetrators. And don't stop yourself or anyone else from achieving a dream - at ANY age.
rjw-007, many vets returning from duty go to college. many are in their mid to late twenties.Many joined to military so they could get GI benefirts, like help paying for college.
And why, if someone is 26, should they not be a drum major, or a band member, or a cheerleader, or play sports.
timmy tebows is a total sham of a human being.
his publicist wouldnt allow him to answer questions about whether or not he supported gay rights.
they feared his brand would be tarnished by answering.
so that just proves that people like timmy tebows are morally bankrupt cowards who hide behind their religion to exploit others.
timmy tebows and his friends at focus on the family are the same as the hazers of this poor kid.
LJ -- get over yourself. Tim Tebow is NOT part of this discussion. Like the guy or not, it's off topic. You want to rant about him, go find a story about him and rant away.
Oh Joy,
I'm not sure what you are talking about, but I certainly hope it wasn't about anything I said. I was promoting thinking instead of pure hate and criticism among posters who have no idea what the story entails.
As far as not giving up one's dreams.... I dropped out of college twice myself because of hardships and I am back in college now...at 53, to earn my Associate's degree and finish my B.S. in science, which is what I left behind. Who knows, maybe even go for my Master's, so I have no beef with someone going back to school at any age.
I commended this young man for doing it, but at the same time, some people need to stop taking everything at face value. Black doesn't mean hate; young doesn't mean stupid, and just "older", doesn't mean old. It means life. Rich blood and even feelings.
As I said before, condolences to this young man's family and friends. I hope he gets to play in the big band in the sky.
The age of the student is relevant to the story. Not because he had "learning disabilities" but because of wanting to join a group that is typically comprised of younger members. I went to university and the majority of the student body was comprised of 18-19 y.o. However, there were a few that were in the mid-20s. Those individuals received some of the worst hazing in school. For some reason the younger students felt it necessary to taunt and torment the "old" guys.
Nearly anytime there is a group of individuals at a university there is going to be some level of hazing, whether it is a fraternity/sorority, band, club, etc. Often times the administration is aware of it but is apprehensive about intruding on the "rites of membership". Every once in a while the hazing goes too far. Because the administration turns a blind eye to the hazing the students take it as tacit approval of their practices. Unless and until the admin steps in it will probably continue. They fear that too much interference into student activities will bring a negative image to the school.
How much does it take to recover from the negative images of FAMU and Penn State after the fact?
Seriously, why does the age matter?!
How much self-hate is floating around that campus for this kind of brutality to be happening? And 26 does seem kind of old for that, FWIW, but it's immaterial to being murdered. Is it that they are feeling like they need to represent all bad-ass because they are in a college band, and not out thugging on the streets and "keeping it real"? I don't get it.
Oh, the price we pay to be one of the elite in a marching band- ROFL!!
I'm just curious of why a 26 year old, out of high school for 8-9 years feels the need to "play" with 18-19 year olds. The hazing IS awful. But why in goodness name can a man that is dang near 30 years old not able to handle the situations he is putting himself in? I believe what is happening at our colleges is horrible. But surely the students, especially at 26 years old should at least be able to exercise some "common sense". What ever happened to attending college to get an education not "play" sports, band and such? When was the last time your relative made a living playing "band or sports"? Shouldn't our universities being teaching their students on how to make a living?
Nobody knows. You cannot figure some things out, but this is the least of any kind of a problem here. Sad that some people do not know how to defend themselves against freaks like the ones that could murder this man and pretend to themselves that it was OK. The people that attacked were even weaker because none of them had the nads to stop his murder or lynching, no matter what name they called it to make it sound less evil.
Exactly what is the age-appropriate time to get beaten to death and not have it be your fault?
Knock.It.Off.
Thank you. I agree. He was murdered for God's sake. Bullies are very sneaky cautious people and don't do their deeds in the open. They are no better than pedophiles.
You can't make assumptions because of a number attached to someone. There is a wide range of maturity level at age 26. We don't know the guy's circumstances, but why does that matter? If it wasn't a 26-year old, it would have been someone else, 19, 20, 21 -- it's doesn't matter. What matters is these morons beating on people to get them to prove that they can hang and bond as part of the group. It's a few a-holes that get off on violence and cruelty that have created a culture of physical abuse and harassment and made it 'normal' for everyone else in the group to join in and it's been perpetuated over a long period of time. In the big picture, the age doesn't matter.
Have you ever thought of how old a person would be if after high school they volunteered for an armed service and did a few tours.
Sometimes lives are put on hold. I commend him for following his heart and not acting his age.
6 deleted, Tim-988943 bringing the racism ['take the jungle out of the Africans...' 'stupid Negroes'.] Banned, had a long history.
RJW007 What planet are you from? Your statement "When was the last time your relative made a living playing "band or sports"" demonstrates a degree of stupidity I have not heard in years. I am a professional musician, who is married to a professional musician, and we have made our living for over 40 years as you so crudely put it, playing band! We have had wonderful lives full of culture and beautiful music, met fantastic people, and made a decent living besides. I hope our sons can do as well in their chosen fields of endeavor. Further, if this unfortunate young man was in band as an extra-curricular activity, why should he have been killed pursuing his dream?
I remember when a boy drowned because of hazing at Clemson University, back when it was Clemson College. After that happened, the hazing was stopped. Why do colleges and universities allow such a stupid thing anyway. How many young people would still be alive if this practice had of been stopped a long time ago. No fraternity is worth going through a hazing ritual.
I agree, who cares how old this young man was, why is this "practice" still taking place??
Colleges and Universities do not "allow" it. They do what the can to stop it, but cannot be everywhere at once.
It's not hazing, it's murder.
The people who did the beating are nothing but DOG S#IT. They should get the death penalty themselves. This wasn't a "hazing", this was beating someone to death. They may not have planned for him to die, but they sure as hell planned the beating.
They should all be beaten to death themselves. Lethal injection is way too good for them. If you think I want blood, you're damn right I do. Phuck them all.
Gonna have to stop beating your fellow class mates to death sometime.....
Anyone see the irony:
"blunt force trauma sustained during a hazing incident."
Translation: Paddling.
He was whipped to death. At an historically black university.
Blunt force is more like a baseball bat!
I agree that hazing is wrong and shouldn't happen at all. It is tragic that this man died over something so stupid as hazing. There are many educational degree programs that require a student (especially if he/she is on scholarship) to be in the band. Being in band or a performing art or a sport is not always 'extra'- especially for a person who is talented enough to have been made drum major- it is their career choice. There is a living in music education and the music industry, but the person needs to be alive in order to succeed.
42 deleted, Palin Supporter-514469 banned, racism, out of chances.
Tyler...thank you for your prompt action.
10Kbug: But do you really know anyone, one person, that is making a living from being in band?
The universities make a mint off this crap, but the student getwhat exactly? We need people getting out of college with a bankable education. Hazing: these intelligent individuals volunteer to join Frats and Sors. Why? Does are society teach them that they need to fit in so badly they should risk their lives? What ever happened to universities suppling the tools to make a living? Frankly our Universities are a scam. I still don't understand why some one at 26 really feels it is necessary to join a Frat or play in a band. Am I the only one that thinks this is odd? And we wonder why people can't find jobs.
Universities should supply the tools to make a living??? Seriously?? So there should be no choice of majors; everyone should get a business degree. After all, that will give them the tools to make a living! Whatever!
I don't understand how joining a Fraternity of Sorority or Band is a risk to a life. It never should be. Hazing should never be allowed! No matter what! And yes, people make a living at Band. They are teachers, Drum Corps, University Professors, conductors, concert bands, etc.
We don't know the circumstances that had this person in college at 26, but why should he have been excluded from the activities on campus?
Yes, actually. People make a living as professional musicians all the time. Go google "professional drum and bugle corps."
rjw007:
Yes, I know several people. A guy I graduated high school with (in the 80s) has played trumpet in a small band for years--that is his job. A young man I know who was in marching band with my daughter is now making his living as a music teacher at the high school level. A young woman who was also in marching band with my daughter is earning her living as a professional musician. There are many who continue their love for music into their career choices. What do you think all the middle-school, high-school, and college level music instructors did when they were in school? I would guess most were probably involved in band. And many professional musicians have a history of being in band or chorus when they were in school. Being in band teaches a person discipline and teamwork. Marching Band is also physically demanding--it is considered a sport alongside sports like basketball and track. My daughter has her sports letter in marching band--you should see them training for hours a day. It is rather enlightening. Also, studies have proven that young people who are involved in music in school are overall better students.
Don't knock people in band until you have bothered to understand how hard they work!
More than anything else, remember that this article is about a young person who lost his life because of the tragic stupidity of certain others. Have some respect for HIM.
They are called band directors -- you learn some of the skills for directing bands from being in them.
rjw007 I disagree about the band. I have a brother who worked his way through school playing in bands. It sure beat sacking groceries. He made great money. He continued his education to PHD level. People who are talented in music will ALWAYS use it, either for their profession or for relaxation or for social reasons.
My middle brother played in Southern University's marching and jazz band. He has been a professional musician making money and traveling the world for almost 20 years now. So playing in a marching band can give you a rewarding career.
Also being a drum major at an HBCU is the Sh!t! A very coveted position on campus.
You could also look at this another way. Take the "HAZING" spin off the story. It could have simply been just a brutal beating of someone others didn't like. But by calling it hazing it makes the college not look as bad as calling it a gang beating of a fellow student.
Did these geniuses actually rule this young man's death as a homicide? That is awesome, isn't it? That they were actually able to come up with that declaration all within less than a year? I am amazed. That's what you call "investigative prowess".
What is wrong with the leadership, that they could not prevent such a tragic death from happening!!!!The leadership should all be summarily terminated!!!!!!
What kind of a freak show is that band program.....grow the f up.
I do hope for the sake of justice, for the family of the deceased, for the example it will set for the future students, that those who perpetrated this homicide, that those responsible get lots of prison time.
Another consequence of the sheep-like behavior that's so typical of Americans everywhere lately. If this third-rate college really wanted to stop this they'd shut down the band until a year after the last member of its current incarnation is off the campus. That will remove the cancer. And while they're at it, the whole management structure should be dismissed too since the rot always starts from the head. Glad that MY tax dollars aren't going to support this mess. (They're going to support the mess in Penn State!)
Had a relative to die from "hazing". Never got over the sadness and loss of it all.
Do you think maybe he was 26 and a drum major because he was oh I don't know majoring in band to become a band director? Geez...it doesn't really matter his age, race or sex...he was murdered and this is the tragedy not the other stupid mentions here...those that tell him to grow up...you grow up!!! You make me sick!!!
Looks like there was some gang bangers in the band. It is typical of bangers to beat someone down before they become members.
Hazing is usually benign and is widespread in most fraternities and other social, professional groups. it is usually a right of passage for initiation.
Right. Hazing is just fun and games...until someone dies. This can't possibly happen in a NICE fraternity, this must be gang related.
I do not understand you people.
I've never understood hazing. You're invited to be a valued member of a social or professional organization, but first let's humiliate you, abuse you physically and mentally, and once demoralized they let you in. Is that the organization that you really want to join?
When you are a sheep, that's what you do.
Wow, seems like those east coast schools have issues, well look into the PAC 12, I've always been partial to the west coast,1982 Husky. Better lookin girls, great fishing, better ball programs, the one reason there is no playoff system is due to the fact that those schools east of the Mississippi just don't want to play the PAC 12. Husky/Nebraska Holiday Bowl last year for example. I know Nebraska is on the west side of the river, but I've made my point. Now that I've pissed off 1/2 the country I think I'll have a drink.
ROFL- and your word and opinion is valued by ????? Rest assured, no one was offended.
paramed
No one values his opinion---he's a UDuh fan. They haven't had a football team in 20 years, and he's butt-hurt 'cause even the Beavs beat 'em every year now.
I've been out of school a long time, and been in marching bands, but I've never heard or seen any hazing.
The band should be dispersed and all those in it banned from school. There is something mentally wrong with the attitudes that allow it.
I do not feel anyone had a right to take this young man's life under any circumstances. I am just trying to understand why our Universities and young people are such a mess. If my son (who is 28) had died in this manner I would have a very hard time dealing with it, as any parent would. I do live in a University town and work at a hospital. I know for a fact violence on campus is not reported as a crime by the students or university the majority of the time. Meaning the parents look the statics up thinking they are sending their young adults to a relative crime free university, and it just isn't true. I also know the Universities do not necessarily have control over Frats and Sors. If they are housed off campus, which they usually are, they have no authority over them. Fortanetly hospitals have to report crimes by law. But by the time the students get to us they are maimed or dead. The majority of students do not report crimes. Universities do not report crimes. I see so many students that are not mature enough to be away from their parents supervision. I won't even go into why they send them out into the world for the rest of us to raise them. But this guy was pushing 30. I just find it so sad this happened. I guess there really isn't an answer.
This is far beyond "hazing". This is down right vicious brutality! The band should be disbanded for at least one year. Students involved should be expelled immediately. The director of the band should have been fired before someone actually was killed from this! What is wrong with today's youth that they bully and haze their peers with such brutality that they are murdered and that schools tolerate it. There should be a zero tolerance and immediate expulsion as the penalty. I read elsewhere that this occurred on the bus??? If that's the case, why didn't the bus driver drive the band to the nearest police station? This had to be quite a disturbance on his bus!!! Everyone these days is not taking responsibility to protect the innocent. It's time to step up!