Bethune-Cookman’s Donovan Wells Plays Sour Note With Comments on Marching 100 Hazing
Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Bethune-Cookman University, Features, Florida, Florida A&M University
The Orlando Sentinel recently reported on an increase in interest from high school students wanting to join the Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats marching band. In the article, BCU Band Director Donovan Wells said that he believed the increase was a direct result of the suspension of the Florida A&M Marching 100, and that he wouldn’t accept transfers from the 100 into the Wildcats’ ranks.
Publicly, Wells says he doesn’t want the “controversy” of the Robert Champion murder and its resulting scrutiny to find a place in his program. Privately, I’m sure he doesn’t want the prospect of Marching 100 transplants with allegiances to FAMU to transmit performance secrets back to Tallahassee and the Marching 100, regardless of the Rattlers’ suspension being extended to 2013.
But is it a low blow to give any statement on the issue, whether in honest commentary or in a seemingly slick play to stoke the heated rivalry between the two bands?
It’s hard for Wells to emerge from this story without appearing to take some satisfaction in his band gaining from FAMU’s misfortune. Even though that misfortune was caused by the reckless minds and hands of misguided musicians in the Marching 100, no comment Wells could give about the Marching Wildcats seeing positive gains as a result of the Marching 100′s suspension could make him appear anything more than petty.
The Orlando Sentinel, in the past few months, has exposed the number of ineligible players in the FAMU band on the day of the hazing death, revealed detailed information of parent and internal concern about band hazing at FAMU, and has called for the firing of FAMU President James Ammons. They’ve also offered no discernible perspective on the case with any theme other than FAMU paying dearly for the death of Robert Champion.
The Sentinel has shown that it will enhance its investigative prowess on the FAMU hazing case, and has been among the loudest voices in the public mob calling for sweeping changes at FAMU. What more perfect precursor for change in Tallahassee than to show how Daytona Beach benefits as a result?
Donovan Wells fell right into the trap.
Wells’ perspective fit perfectly in the Sentinel’s very apparent plan to discredit a fellow HBCU, and makes him appear as an uninformed major player in a rivalry that must take a backseat when the subject is FAMU’s uncertain reality.
sooo Basically, what the underlying argument is that instead of shunning FAMU openly for allowing their college culture of hazing to escalate to tragic and fatal heights, we as fellow HBCU’s should turn a blind eye to the issue and sit patiently as the 100 wades thru their woes until 2013? I for one will not, and I’m glad my director said something about it. Im sure from an academic standpoint, FAM is gonna be alright, however the band program should be scrutinized and discredited, which they’ve been doing themselves (anyone remember the Massive hotel theft, perpetrated by members of the 100 circa ’06-’07 ish). Ive loved fam, but lets be real….they KILLED someone, and not just a random, a Drum Major. humungous faux pa.
Donovan Wells is a joke of a college band director. There are absolutely no FAMU band students interested in transferring to Bethune Cookman. Who does he think he’s kidding? That’s almost like leaving an indoor bathroom, walking outside and taking a dive, head first into an outhouse. Wells has no class and is falling right into the hands of those who don’t give a damn about FAMU or BCC. He’s almost as bad as his band announcer. FAMU’s Marching 100 will return next year and will be better than ever. Let’s be real about this; fans fill up the Citrus Bowl so see The Marching 100, not BCC.
“Donovan Wells is a joke of a college band director”… I stopped reading right there.
I’m sure you are as mentally incompetent as this statement you wrote. FAMU Marching 100 got exactly what they deserved. Clearly, you dont know how it feels to lose a love one to complete and utter mindless nonsense. Let alone, understand the logic behind not wanting to corrupt the Marching Wildcat program with that foolishness. By your statement, you are clearly a graduate of FAMU (which explains a lot…based on the percentage of 4 year graduates and employment after graduation (damn shame…Surprised FAMU still has their accreditation…but that’s another subject)). Once you decide to remove yourself from the BS you’re sitting in, check the stats and see how many B-CU tickets have been sold compared to FAMU in the past 4 years of the Florida Classic then tell me who the people are really coming to see. Then again, this task may be too difficult for you…not sure if FAMU curriculum covers basic arithmetic. Let me know if you need some assistance…who am I kidding…what Rattler doesnt!?!
This story was a wasted 2 minutes of my life that I will now never be able to get back. Whoever wrote it, is an idiot and I think HBCU digest should be ashamed of themselves for letting such a biased article be printed as fact. It’s called “Yellow Journalism”! I hope who ever wrote the article is not a journalism major because if so, they would never make it in the real world as a journalist. Journalist are supposed to be unbiased and report only the facts, not personal ignorance.
actually…they may have a nice home at Fox News
Uh yeah, so atleast we know where you went to school, smh…. This is a bullshit conjecture article at best…and you knew that BEFORE you wrote it. Instead concerning yourself about what Mr. Wells said, how about you keep the focus on what has transpired and how we can fix the issue. What you shouldnt do is get all “up in arms” about a band director “supposedly” “taking enjoyment of turning away current FAMU students”. That’s gotta be the dumbest shit i’ve heard. This is one long ass opinion that holds no real substance and the only trap that anybody fell for was clickling the link to read this peace of shit article.
I personally don’t have a problem with this article, everyone has an opinion. I do however agree with Mr Wells decision to protect his band program by any means necessary. On the other hand the comment about him not taking transfers from FAMU for the reason of secrets within BCU’S band being taken back to FAMU is funny. Both bands practice in an open area. It’s not hard to take a 4 hour drive to either campus and watch a band rehearsal. Mr Wells is a smart guy and is only protecting his band the only way he See’s fit. If he doesn’t want to except transfers from FAMU or any other school for that matter, as long as he has the support and backing of the president of BCU and he is not breaking any rules, then more power to him. The only thing that bothers me is all the music students that are being lost because of the actions of a few students and the lack of action from the adults that are or were in charge at Famu. Just an opinion from a HBCU GRAD & FORMER BAND MEMBER “SU 98″
Major100 exactly. Bands dont have any “secret” shows, lol. This aint Drumline. In any HBCU or PWC band it is fairly easy to find out what a band is doing. Maybe there are somethings that can be held a secret but not much. Camera phones, youtube, twitter. It’s impossible for a show to stay completely under wraps. And the fact that the writer of this article suggest that just shows us why he has no credibiliy. The concept of keeping shows a “secret” is so 1990, dude…
Lol @hbcudigest:disqus this article. Why is it so wrong for him to state that he wont take “current” FAMU students?! Seems like he trying to effectively manage the makeup of his program. This is at best a non-story. I see you guys are about as bad as Yahoo. Creating stories to get readers.
“Privately, I’m sure he doesn’t want the prospect of Marching 100 transplants with allegiances to FAMU to transmit performance secrets back to Tallahassee and the Marching 100, regardless of the Rattlers’ suspension being extended to 2013.”
You do realize it’s the 21st century?…more impratanly, the media age, right? You do also realize the that MOST collegiate marching bands dont hold private practices. If FAMU wanted to find out what show Bethune Cookman was doing for the classic they could send someone to a practice and do it. It’s really that simple. Both bands rehearse on open fields on their respective campuess to my knowledge. Lol, they dont need moles or implants c’mon man, know what your talking about. And if they’re anything like NSU and A&T peoeple have been spying for years. So the notion that Donovan Well actually gives a shit that someone knows the show is a joke in it self. Much like this article. Why do they even have journalist anymore?…
Cant blame him for not wanting to indulge in the controversy, it seems like just because the two schools are rivals any and everything he says is an issue. So there’s really no point in this article, seems like a student wrote it….a biased student…And yes its honestly true there are several members attempting to transfer to that university to be apart of there Music Program “Thats A Fact”…also being a graduate of Howard University I’ve seen both bands several times and i can honestly agree with the fact that any student that does enrolled in Bethune Cookman Music Program will have a much better experience even if Famu program wasn’t suspended ..you all have to remember its all about how we carry ourselves as a HBCU..isn’t Famu the same university that was not longer invited to the Honda Battle Of The Bands because they were stealing out of a 3star hotel?!…0_o its sad.
Thirsty for a story aye? Good job making yourself less relevant and respected than you already are “HBCU Digest”
And yet here you are. Appreciate your opinion on this piece, as its clear you do mine.
I would have to say I am a bit disappointed with this article and have lost some respect for this digest as an alumni of the great Bethune-Cookman University.
Why? Because there’s an opinion on comments that the band director made? No bias at all; it’s an opinion on his commentary.
well those kids that are about to attend BCU are up for a surprise!!if they think going to BCU will help them escape hazing than they must be some fools!!!!and NOBODY from famu band are trying to go to BCU..SO Mr.Wells can stop being a jerk
Are FAMU Band members trying to transfer?! That is just too much!
No, It’s not a low blow. I wouldn’t want my band to be associated with the drama from another university either. Furthermore, Mr. Wells made the comment and decision because he can afford to. There are so many students who desire to be apart of the Marching Wildcats that the band won’t miss a beat. He can do it and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
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