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The famed Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 will remain on suspension for the entirety of the 2012-13 school year. The announcement comes just a week after longtime band director Dr. Julian White announced his retirement, and months after the hazing death of member Robert Champion. Eleven band members now face felony hazing charges in relation to Champion’s death, and two others face misdemeanor charges.
An investigation also uncovered that more than 100 members of what once was considered among of the finest marching bands in the world were actually not students at the school during the time of Champion’s death.
Even the now-retired White admitted last week that the band should not be reinstated in time for next fall’s football season.
“In all honesty, this fall may be too soon,” White told the Tallahassee Democrat. “Even though it was not the majority of the band members involved, the lesson needs to be really implemented and stressed that conduct is more important than the product of marching and entertaining.”
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