FAMU hazing death of DeKalb grad: 13 people charged
In a family photo, Robert Champion demonstrates the flair that earned him the prestigious drum major role in the famous FAMU band.
The AJC is reporting that 13 people have been charged in the death of Robert Champion, a Florida A&M University drum major from DeKalb.
The beating death of the Southwest DeKalb High grad in November brought attention to the dangerous culture of hazing on campuses, but particularly in the famed Marching 100 of FAMU.
When Champion was killed, I spoke to Hank Nuwer, the author of four books on hazing. Among his books are “Wrongs of Passage: Fraternities, Sororities, Hazing, and Binge Drinking” and “Broken Pledges: the Deadly Rite of Hazing.”
A journalism professor at Franklin College in Indiana, Nuwer explained in a telephone interview why college students and band members endure hazing that turns vicious and sometimes deadly. “We cannot get enough of wanting to be wanted. Students think that joining this fraternity or this band constitutes whether or not they have a happy college experience, ” he said.
Students also are drawn by the appeal of being part of an outlaw culture, “this exhilaration of doing things together that are outside the norm, ” Nuwer said.
Whatever the appeal, the consequences were catastrophic at FAMU. One life was lost, and 13 others are about to be changed forever, regardless of the outcome of the case.
Florida State Attorney Lawson Lamar said he would not immediately release the names of those charged since they are still at large. He called the beating death of 26-year-old Robert Champion “nothing short of an American tragedy.”
He said Champion’s death was not the result of a single blow but was “attributable to multiple blows.”
Lamar said 11 of the suspects would be charged with hazing with death, a felony which carries a maximum sentence of six years. He said the evidence in the case would not support a charge of murder. “Hazing is a term for bullying,” Lamar said. “It is a tradition we cannot tolerate in America.”
He said 20 other people would be charged with hazing in unrelated incidents in which there were not serious injuries.
The charges will bring more scrutiny to a culture of hazing at FAMU and other schools. The death of Champion, a graduate of Southwest DeKalb High, was ruled a homicide by medical examiners, and the case has jeopardized the future of FAMU’s legendary marching band and shaken the school’s Tallahassee campus.
“The family’s position is if indeed there are charges tomorrow, it’s been a long time in coming,” Christopher Chestnut, an attorney for Champion’s parents, said Tuesday evening. “It is bittersweet. Obviously it’s comforting to know that someone will be held accountable for Robert’s murder, but it’s also disconcerting to think of the impact of the future of these students. This is just unfortunate all the way around.”
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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74 comments Add your comment
catlady
May 2nd, 2012
3:07 pm
Stupid, stupid, stupid! And anyone who would allow thenselves to be treated that way in order to be popular needs counseling. I cannot imagine anyone, unless vying for the last breath of air, the last sip of water, the last morsel of food, sacrificing themsleves–their dignity– in pursuit of this!
chillywilly
May 2nd, 2012
3:31 pm
I’m happy to hear that they have charged and plan to arrest some folks. Hazing is senseless and unfortunately, is a part of every university’s culture in America. That doesn’t make it right, but it is what it is. The State of Florida’s hazing laws are much stronger now as a result of a hazing related death at the University of Miami in 2005.
what the!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
Just join The Marines, Army etc. Does this Hazing make you a better person, rich & famous, give you POWER. Please explain? Some of you young men & ladies will put yourself through this and want even join the Arm Forces. I don’t get it all.
carlosgvv
May 2nd, 2012
3:53 pm
When I entered college at age 18, my hazing occured during the first few days.
Robert Champion was a 26 year old college senior. This was not hazing. This appears to be a deliberate killing. Why are the authorities still calling it hazing?
NBCT
May 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
What a shame, I couldn’t imagine what his parents are going through. I can only pray that my own kids dont have this problem. Peer pressure is lethal.
Jsmith
May 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
So sad, to want to be a part of something so bad when each individually is talented, together they are beyond description! This earns you respect? Is this a hate crime? Why would adults and at 18 you are one, commit this senseless beating in the name of respect at a supposed place of higher learning? Pitiful and pathetic on all fronts! Obviously there are 100’s this has happened to, where are you men and women of courage to stand up and right a wrong. My prayers go out the families and the students.
RowdyD
May 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
This is the reason that I did not pledge a sorority in college. The rituals one was required to endure was not worth being a part of a clique. What are those sorors, band members and frats doing now in life. Are these groups doing anything productive to assist high schoolers or the community? It’s a shame that Robert Champion had to lose his life in order to be part of a marching band…..smdh!
Glad to see those involved will be held accountable!
news?
May 2nd, 2012
5:01 pm
why is this on the main page of our main newspaper site? This is hardly newsworthy, but you say it’s tragic because 13 lives are going to be changed….ummm, they got caught committing a crime. Personal accountability? It’s sad that the criminals got caught? Seriously?
TJ
May 2nd, 2012
5:20 pm
Everything about what these young people did is ridiculous. I REALLY HOPE others learn from this tragedy. HAZING is crazy…. and every one of those participating should be made an example of. My heart goes out to the family who lost their son. While I am thankful for the charges, this won’t bring their son back. This type of grief is unimaginable.
Atlanta Mom
May 2nd, 2012
6:16 pm
I’m curious. Do you folks out there believe this will put a stop to hazing in Florida/ FMU/Univerisities in general?
Atlanta Mom
May 2nd, 2012
6:21 pm
“We cannot get enough of wanting to be wanted”.
We have to grow stronger children than that. Don’t we expect our children to withstand peer pressure in middle school and high school? They don’t always but that is our hope and expectation. I must admit, by the time mine went to college, peer pressure was not at the top of my list of worries.
Steve
May 2nd, 2012
8:52 pm
This was not hazing. This man was beaten to death, and no amount of trying to say otherwise will disguise it.
Pardon My Blog
May 2nd, 2012
8:55 pm
It is all in the culture, especially at FAMU. I hope that his sends a strong message to those at MLK, SW DeKalb and others that this is NOT acceptable.
WAR
May 3rd, 2012
8:12 am
so let me get this right… he was against hazing, but participated in it. ok, its clear now.
WAR
May 3rd, 2012
8:14 am
hazing is what teachers endure each day to educate rude, disrespectful children who are supported by rude, disrespectful parents.
T. Alexander
May 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
What is man that God is mindful of I!!!
JROLL1
May 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
SURELY…..AT LEAST A CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT….
@urethrafranklyn
May 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
How was he 26 yrs old and still in college? Was he in the military?
JerzeePeach
May 3rd, 2012
11:57 am
Thanks, T. Alexander.
Baffled
May 3rd, 2012
12:46 pm
I grieve the loss of this young man, however, he was not hazed to be a member of the band. He was not only a member, but as a drum major was compensated to be a chief safety officer. As drum major it was his job to prevent the very activity in which he participated. With all due respect to his family, he was not a boy. He was a 27 year old man, who voluntarily participated in a felony. He was a 27 year old man, who was chosen from 450 participants to be a drum major. I have to assume that his selection, in part, was due to a belief that at that age he possessed the emotional maturity to lead a group of 19, 20, 21 year old trumpet, clarinet, flute and tuba players.
I don’t understand what he hoped to accomplish by participating in that felony, but it was not membership into the band. He was already a member of the Marching 100rd and compensated to be one of its chief safety officers.
I have no idea what he was seeking, but it required participating in a felony with people who were five, six, maybe even seven years his junior. I wish someone who knew him well would explain why a 27 year old man would choose to do this. I am baffled.
Eddie
May 3rd, 2012
12:46 pm
So, if the “victim” was a Drum Major which I assume that is some type of leadership position. I also assume he knew about and participated in previous hazing incidents. It is a tragedy, but it does seem a stretch to call him a victim when he was apparently a willing participant in this behavior.
chillywilly
May 3rd, 2012
1:00 pm
@ Baffled & Eddie – You both are right on point. According to ESPN Outside The Lines report, Champion openly expressed a desire to “run Bus C” to be hazed so that he would be respected as a drum major. After the game in Orlando, all of the FAMU Drum Majors rode back to the hotel in a limo with Band Director Julian White. Upon arriving at the hotel, Champion, Drum Major Hollis and a young lady changed out of their band uniforms into a hazing outfit. All three voluntarily walked out to the bus and entered to be hazed. The young lady was hazed first, followed by Hollis. Champion was the last to be hazed and he actually made it to the back of the bus. Upon making it to the back of the bus, he asked Hollis for something to drink. Hollis gave him some water. Hollis exited the bus and went back to his room, leaving Champion sitting up on the bus. According to Hollis, several minutes later, he heard that Champion had collapsed & was rushed to the hospital. Champion’s death is tragic & I disagree with hazing, but based on what I’ve heard, he clearly volunteered to be hazed.
blkshepherd
May 3rd, 2012
1:14 pm
I am so happy for this man’s family I could just scream! I went to college after military and was in my early 40s when I get my degree so to the post that said he’s 26 and still in college, uhh Everyone do not go into college right after HS. Some folks like myself Join the military and use that benefit and they are in their 30s and 40s. college does NOT have a age limit unless of course your in your 70s 80s or 90s.
Fact is this WAS DUMB DUMB DUMB and I have NO sympathy for those that will be arrested. I hope they are thrown in prison and given time to think how stupid the whold damn thing is. Why BEAT some one? what on Earth has that ever proved? I hope they charge all that was involved and the bus driver who had to have seen what went down. It is what is. Now all of them need to pay.
blkshepherd
May 3rd, 2012
1:17 pm
for the Spell Police..should have read Got not get my degree, and joined the military and whole damn thing not whold..well I am sneaking blogging at work so have to type fast before anyone sees me..dont tell my boss!
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
1:18 pm
SO they have 13 people charged in this incident, they have suspended the band.
I also heard that they had anticipated a charge of hate crimes, because Champion was gay. I have not hear any other report except that one, and no more discussion about the hate crime charge….
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
1:22 pm
@blkshep….I think the blog was saying at 26 years old he ought to know better than to allow someone to beat him up, haze him, or whatever terminology you want to use…
One of my frat brothers was freshout of the military when he started college and pledged on my line, and we learned a lot about what to accept and what not to accept from our fraternity…
Kim
May 3rd, 2012
1:42 pm
The more important question is why a 26 year old is STILL in the band and is slated to be head drum major NEXT year. At close to 30, shouldn’t your priorities be getting the hell out of undergrad? I was in the college marching band and who allows people to beat you? Yes, I was at an HBCU. When does commn sense come into play– especially at that age.
band mom
May 3rd, 2012
1:45 pm
@pardon my blog… Get your facts right before you start naming schools!! stop starting trouble!
it all comes down to what parents are teaching their kids. there is nothing in this world is worth loosing your life! meaning if you have to loose your band scholarship because you refuse to be hazed well dammit loose the scholarship! smh
NameRequired
May 3rd, 2012
1:46 pm
This was not hazing, this was a felony and these band members are no better than common street thugs. The only way to stop this behavior is to disband the band for several years. The victims of hazing become the perpetrators (I had to suffer, so now I am entitled to make others suffer). FAMU needs to shut down the band program until everyone who was ever a member is gone from FAMU. Only then can they start to rebuild. My heart goes out to his parents – my daughter is a musican and was a band member in high school and college. Most band programs are a safe, supporting environment where students can flourish, not be tortured.
chillywilly
May 3rd, 2012
1:48 pm
Thank you, Kim. If a grown man volunteers to participate in an illegal activity (hazing), he runs the risk of injuring or killing someone or being injured or killed. Every member of FAMU’s Band knows that hazing is AGAINST THE LAW and they all signed documents acknowledging such.
RAMZAD
May 3rd, 2012
1:53 pm
Is it not amazing that as a people there is a creeping redundancy that black people are only relevant when somebody dies?
Every other ethnic group seem to get on the world stage for their nuclear weapons or their new scientific discoveries or their technological power or their financial acumen, or their removal of a tyrant government- black people get on when someone dies.
vicki
May 3rd, 2012
1:56 pm
I am sorry for their loss. I know nothing can bring him back. Hazing will stop when hazers stop and also when hazees, unfortunately like Robert, stop submitting to this nonsense as well.
1911A1
May 3rd, 2012
1:57 pm
From the article: “Pam Champion, the mother of Robert Champion, said Thursday that the only way to halt hazing in the program is to disband the marching band until further notice. Pam Champion says ‘You’ve got to clean house. That’s the only thing.’”
I agree. Shut it down. Not forever, but until the last of this year’s freshmen have graduated. Then reload the entire organization, from faculty to students. And have some dang leadership to hold them all accountable.
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
2:10 pm
SOrry but disbanding the band will not eliminate hazing….YOu would have to disband every organization on college campuses. You can disband the band until every member graduates or leaves school, and then start up the band again and i gusrantee that some form of hazing will take place within the first week or two of the band being back totgethr again.
Hazing is BIGGER THAN FAMU,,they did not invent it and they willnot end it….
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
2:12 pm
hey RAMZAD….read somethng other than AJC….i go to several websites that credit blacks with all sorts of discoveries, inventions, career advancement,….etc.
Lynn
May 3rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Ok, folks, hazing has two faces- The participant and they ones who deal out the hazing. It looks like these hazers may get off with simple assault. Why because Mr. Champion was an active and willing participant. He knew exactly what the death march entailed. So yes the hazers should be held accountable but Mr. Champion had knowledge of what would happen during this activity.
lisa
May 3rd, 2012
2:13 pm
No the band should not be disbanded. There was an unfortunate incident that happened, the school and the offenders are paying the price; let’s move on from here. There are many fine students who benefit from the scholarship monies who would not have an opportunity otherwise.
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
2:16 pm
You also have to have some sympathy for the young adults that got caught up in this mess, their lives are ruined to a degree….yes I know that Robert Champion lost his life…Champion got caught up in this life also ad paid the ultimate price.
You only hope that the “organizations”, gangs and Fraternities and sororities learn from this and seek a better way to induct members to their organization that is productive to all involved….
THat should be the lesson learned…at least part of it anyway.
Mary
May 3rd, 2012
2:19 pm
No it should NOT be disbanded. Don’t let a few bad apples spoil the entire bunch.
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
2:21 pm
THe schools across the country should strive to eliminate hazing by coming up with a better induction “ritual” if you will for inducting members into their organization. That really should be the charge to every orgaization, black white etc.
No fraternity, sorority, or organization should be allowed to induct another member until a new procedure is determined….a big task but a necessary task…
Small Guy
May 3rd, 2012
2:25 pm
Why shut down the band? Punish the guilty. Dont punish 300 young people who did the right thing. Clean out the guilty. Maybe new leadershio but no way they should end the Marching 100
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
2:28 pm
you know the sad part of this, I do not thnk disbanding the band is the answer. do you disband the football team when your QB, RB and WR steal computers and sell them or get caught raping someone or murder someone.
You get rid of those kids…
I know the knee-jerk reaction and the political answer is to disband the band but will that really resolve the issue….
NO…disbanding with out education and accountability will result in the same thnig happening when then band gets back together again.
Look at the fraternities, how many of them have been put off the yard for years and what happens when they get back on…they pick up right where they left off.
You have to not only cut off the head but retrain the rest of the body.
Create a manadatory Freshman class whether it be for a week or month on the responsibilities each student has to the organization oand school it represents….
Elizabeth Hughes
May 3rd, 2012
2:30 pm
I don’t think the whole band has to be punished or have no more band. Band is a wonderful thing. Seems there needs to be more control on behavior within the band and peers. We should all learn from our mistakes and go forward. His life will mean something forever because he was good in the band. Don’t dishonor them all because of a few that need to grow up in their attitudes to life and more positive things in life. It’s about them all, not just them. The few that participated in his death should have some punishment. You do the crime, you pay the time. I’m sure his parents would’nt want the whole band to never play again. Elizabeth
chillywilly
May 3rd, 2012
2:34 pm
Long live The Marching 100. I reject any calls to disband FAMU’s Marching 100. The suspension of the band should be lifted immediately! More people have been killed by guns than by members of FAMU’s Band. Hell, if we’re serious about saving lives, let’s ban guns.
Tucker
May 3rd, 2012
2:35 pm
Hazing is a problem at historically black colleges and universities and in African-American student organizations at other colleges and universities, but hazing is not limited to students of any particular race at any kind of institution. Unfortunately longstanding traditions for some organizations include demeaning behaviors that can easily slip into the realm of hazing in the enthusiasm of the moment. The hope that some generation of students will be willing to be the last generation subjected to such treatment is unfulfilled.
Amy
May 3rd, 2012
2:38 pm
I feel for the victims family, but I do not believe that the whole band should be punished. I am not sure how he was 26years old and still in the band, but I am sure at that age and him being a senior, that was not the first incident of hazing, and he never reported it in the past which would leave one to assume he was a willing participant. I feel that there should be a punishment since there was a loss of life, but that the band itself should remain in tact, just with new guidelines and regulations. Just a sad situation all around.
Pompano
May 3rd, 2012
3:04 pm
Carlosgvv – you are correct. OK… so eleven guys beat the crap out of a gay student and we call that hazing.
If this had been the Duke U. Lacrosse team instead of the FAMU band, how quickly do you think people would be screaming for Hate crime charges to be filed? I guarantee you good old Eric Holder would have already held his press conference by now.
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
3:09 pm
pompano….you have to prove the students knew he was gay AND if they were yelling racial or homophobic slurs at him…If this had been DUKE U Lacrosse team …Mom and dad would have already donated a building to DUKE U. for the whole thing to go away….
HERE COMES THE JUDGE
May 3rd, 2012
3:12 pm
The emotions of the family are easily to understand…but the comment by the family to disband the famed band is not the way to go…you’re saying to punish the entire band now and FOREVER for the foolish actions made by a few. I understand that the band also holds a summer band camp for high schoolers…that in itself should send a message to the Champion Family that there a lot of kids who were counting on being in that band for years to come!! I’m equally sure that Robert was dreaming for years to get a tryout and eventually became the DRUM MAJOR…his dedication to many grueling hours of hard work made that dream come true. Maybe when the emotions of the family subside a bit, I hope they will rethink their position of disbanding the group.
Furious Styles
May 3rd, 2012
3:14 pm
Na its not necessary, just:
1. Get rid of the sub-groups within the different band sections and return to the core focus of the band
2. The band directer, going forward can only assign section leaders (students who can be trusted)
3. Discipline should be handed out by school administrators or board and or student union
4. Reporting of hazing and other violations should be accepted anonymously
5. If your dismissed from the band and don’t have the grades to remain in school, you should not be able to participate in school or band activities on or off-campus period. Stay away, stay away!
Pompano
May 3rd, 2012
3:16 pm
Frankie – so if a Gay guy gets beaten up it’s OK as long as the attackers remain quiet? Don’t think you quite understand how hate crimes work. However, based on your comment regarding how things would work out if the situation took place at Duke, you’re obviously not up much on current events either.
Baffled
May 3rd, 2012
3:17 pm
Frankie. The is no hate crime charge because Mr. Champion was not hazed because he is gay. Mr. Champion was hazed because he decided to change his clothes, leave his hotel room, walk to an unsupervised location in a parking lot, get on a bus and let a bunch of testosterone driven shallow thinkers pummel him. If the statement of the other drum major involved is accurate, Mr. Champion watched two other band members get hazed immediately before he stepped forward and voluntarily submitted to the same procedure. If the story as reported by ESPN’s Outside The Line is true, Mr. Champion, a 27 year old man, watched a young woman whose safety he was compensated to ensure, submit to a similar beating and did not do his duty and stop that felony. He stood by and watched grown men batter a woman and did nothing. He was a drum major and could have stopped the felony. He chose not to and instead stood by and watched a woman get pummeled, then submitted himself to similar abuse.
The bigger question, of course, is how to eradicate barbaric practices from society. But certainly an interesting question is why did Champion stand around and watch a group of men assault a woman and do absolutely nothing to stop it.
If someone who knew Mr. Champion would explain why he chose to participate in a felony and chose to watch a female be brutalized by a group on men and chose not to intervene, we might be able to understand the mindset of people who submit to hazing. And, we might gain valuable information into what is necessary to stop it. There were over 400 band members in Orlando for that game. After the game, 384 of them went out and had a good time with family and friends. Why did Mr. Champion choose to go find the 13 future felons? Why didn’t he do as the 384 band members who were no where near that bus?
Sad Story Indeed
May 3rd, 2012
3:27 pm
I agree @Amy. There is hazing that happens in many arenas at all age levels. Hazing has been a part of American culture sense its inception. I definitely don’t agree with overly abusing anyone and my heart goes out to his family. This is more indicative of our culture in America as many of us have experienced at least one side of this type of tradition. One of those charged is a former student of mine and I can say that he is not a thug, or a goon or anything like that. He put himself in a position that he knew he should not have involved himself in, and has accepted the consequences that he has to face.
Sometimes when we are involved in organizations, we go along with traditions and practices that have long been deemed acceptable without thinking about the extreme consequences. I believe this story is somewhat of an American tragedy as no one was forced to participate. Such a sad story all-around.
Gonzalez
May 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
You can’t cure stupid! You know sooner or later the crap would hit the fan! Everyone involved is dumb as a rock! But what do I know I pledged!!
Tag
May 3rd, 2012
3:39 pm
YES!
You know the college administrators of the band were aware of what was going on.
A MAN DIED!!!
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
3:41 pm
@baffled …tell that to Pompano…see earlier blog
Pompano…know exactly what a hate crime is…apparently you don’t. and you rreading skills are questionable too…As far as a hate crime, you have to prove they knew he was gay or perceive bias against that group.
Did they attack any other gay members of the band, did they know he was gay… if the answer to either one of thes questions is no…then no hate crime…who do yu think is going to tell the prosecutor that they knew he was gay that is why they beat him…champion…NO, the perpatrators…after all this time…NOT..
SO know a little about what your subject before you swallow more of your foot……
Gonzalez
May 3rd, 2012
3:42 pm
A Frat I can understand! Who pledges to play a f’en tuba or trumpet?
Question?
May 3rd, 2012
3:42 pm
Where are Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and the reat of the Rainbow Coalition acolytes? Surely they can keep on making themselves relevant by condemning the beating death of a young Black man at the hands of other Black men, can’t they?
Oh, wait, I forgot…….They are only interested when it’s a case of White on Black crime.
Karma
May 3rd, 2012
3:44 pm
Shut ‘em down! Nothing but a bunch of hip-thrusting crotch-grabbing antics set to poorly performed riffs on the field and reprehensible acts off the field. Yep, shut ‘em down for good.
Former MLK Band Mom
May 3rd, 2012
3:45 pm
This band should not be disband … I would; however, suggest that band directors withdraw scholarships from ANY student caught hazing or being hazed (approximately 80-85% of the band members received some type of scholarship) and I guarantee this action will cease immediately.
If the Band Directors refuses to withdraw the scholarship and remove student from band then the school’s administration need to WITHDRAW EMPLOYEMENT from the Band Director … this I know for certain will ensure hazing activities will cease UNLESS the Band Director is a straight up idiot.
Former MLK Band Mom
May 3rd, 2012
3:47 pm
@Baffled … great comment!
j bullyq
May 3rd, 2012
3:48 pm
I know, every Rattler re-applies and gets chosen based on musical TALENT (got to play at least one instrument well) and, GASP, academic achievement. Set the standards high, the thugs will fall by the wayside where they belong. Long as there is a FAMU and a Univ of Miami, for that matter, there are going to be hate crime incidents, can’t stop em.
Frankie
May 3rd, 2012
3:50 pm
I am sure the band director knew of the sub-groups to the band. What surprises me but not really is that the band fraternity (kappa kappa psi) has not spoken out about this which leads me to believe they knew about it or suspected something was going on.
The band director was possibly a member of the group? But agree that the stronger regulations (enforceable)needs to occur.
But given the history of hazing, this has to be a nationwide event to squash it…not just at FAMU.
Former MLK Band Mom
May 3rd, 2012
4:01 pm
To those of you who is stating that this was a ‘hate crime’ … apparently, you have received erroneous information. Mr. Champion, along with the others, voluntarily walked that hazing line. Unfortunately, he, Mr. Champion, sustained internal injuries due to his own regrettable decision.
Yes, those involved need to be punished for their participation; however, WE PARENTS need to teach our children better so that they will have a high self-esteem and will KNOW when, and what type of activities, they should participate in order to become a member of any organization. If Mr. Champion had a better understanding of who he was he NEVER would have walked that line; in fact, he would have insisted on showing the other members of that organization how a TRUE LEADER respond to such foolishness and stayed true to his beliefs, if he did in fact believe hazing was wrong.
Just saying…..
Former MLK Band Mom
May 3rd, 2012
4:03 pm
Sorry ‘grammar police’ … “who are” …
Jeez
May 3rd, 2012
4:36 pm
Band? These guys should’ve been on the football team.
Archie@Arkham Asylum
May 3rd, 2012
10:13 pm
“The University has said that it is working ‘vigorously’ to eradicate hazing!” Where have we heard that one before?
catlady blames the victim
May 4th, 2012
10:50 pm
catlady, you are blaming the victim. you have no idea whether he “allowed” himself to be murdered. For all you know, he called out for help and mercy and was ignored. One man cannot defend himself against a gang of thugs in a bus with a so-called adult driver who did nothing to stop it.
This school has a CULTURE of violence.
BAN the band. Get rid of this “legendary” mob of thugs.
The kids are there to get an education, not not strut around and kill each other over something meaningless.
This young man needed help and all he got was a beat down and criticism from you. it figures.
Former MLK Band Mom
May 4th, 2012
10:52 pm
You’re wrong. We don’t need to teach our kids how to defend themselves against a gang of thugs. That’s not what we need to teach our kids. what we need to do is PUNISH the adults who created the culture and allowed it to happen.
No one makes a “regrettable decision” that leads to a murder.”
NO ONE would in his right mind know that he was about to be murdered.
You just want to defend your “legendary” band. Legendary indeed. Robin Hood is a legend. FAMU is a bunch of thugs.
chillywilly
May 5th, 2012
12:26 pm
@ Former MLK Band Mom – You may want to get your facts straight before you start rambling off at the mouth. According to U.S. News & World Reports, FAMU is “The No. 1 Most Popular University in The State of Florida & The No. 1 Most Popular University in America”. New admission applications are at an all time high. FAMU’s Accounting Students just won the Deloitt Touche Case Competition in Texas, beating Notre Dame & other universities. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t sound like “a bunch of thugs” to me. For your convenience & education, here is a link to FAMU’s website. http://www.famu.edu. A couple of years ago, a Virginia Tech student shot & killed more than 30 students on campus, but that doesn’t define VT. Every other day, a UGA student is arrested for some crime. Would you describe UGA as a bunch of thugs? According to the Robert Champion investigation, only 13 people participated in the hazing that caused his death. The other 387 FAMU band members had absolutely nothing to do with his death. We all want justice for Robert Champion, but to indict the entire university for the bad behavior of a few is just wrong. Based on testimony, Robert Champion voluntarily entered the bus on his own free will to be hazed. As a drum major, he was a leader of the band and knew that hazing was wrong. I heard that he had already signed an Anti-Hazing Agreement along with the other band members. The question becomes, “why did Robert Champion participate in an activity (hazing) that he knew was illegal in the State of Florida”? At some point, adult students should know the difference between right and wrong and accept responsibility for their own bad behavior. Two other band members were hazed with Champion that night, but survived. We’re all hurting for the Champion Family, but if I jump into a pit of rattlesnakes, I expect to be bitten. When adult students volunteer to participate in an illegal activity such as hazing, they run the risk of injuring or killing someone or being injured or killed themselves. FAMU is a very prestigious university with a very rich history. Many of FAMU’s Alumni are very successful and have NEVER participated in hazing. For those of you who think otherwise, you are sadly misinformed. We hurt for the Champion, but we think holding press conferences every other day is counterproductive and are causing people to question their motives. The university has taken very serious steps to eradicate hazing and to strengthen its hazing policy. We all agree that the hazing must stop…but the music shouldn’t. The band suspension should be lifted immediately. Lastly, I’ve just learned that the young lady, Brea Hunter, who claimed that her thigh was broken in a hazing incident, wasn’t broken at all. In my opinion, Brea Hunter has no credibility. Besides, she also volunteered to be hazed and as a result, she was injured. Indict the guilty students, but not the entire university. Put the Marching 100 back on the field immediately!
chillywilly
May 5th, 2012
1:48 pm
Typo Correction : “The No. 15 Most Popular University in America”. I’d say this is pretty good, wouldn’t you?
AJC is not Credible
May 5th, 2012
8:12 pm
He brought it upon himself…he was on the downside of 30.
Former MLK Band Mom
May 8th, 2012
11:05 am
@Former MLK Band Mom, who wrote “You’re wrong. We don’t need to teach our kids how to defend themselves against a gang of thugs.”….
When you respond to a blog …. FIRST AND FOREMOST, you need to create a UNIQUE name so that your responses are not mistakenly take for those of the blogger with the ORIGINAL name … idiot!
Former MLK Band Mom
May 8th, 2012
11:09 am
“mistakenly taken…”