Marching 100 – HBCU Digest

Tuesday

7

May 2013

Sylvester Young Named Director of FAMU Marching 100; No Timetable for Band’s Return

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Marching Bands

Friday

29

March 2013

FAMU Asks For Libel Suit From Former Marching 100 Member To Be Thrown Out

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Legal

Attorneys for Florida A&M University yesterday asked a judge to dismiss a libel suit against the university stemming from the hazing death of Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion. The suit, filed by former band member Keon Hollis, alleges that he has suffered emotional distress after being falsely identified as one of the FAMU students dismissed from the university in connection with the November 2011 hazing ritual that killed Champion. From the Associated Press:

Hollis, a friend of Champion’s, was beaten by band members the same night that Champion died. In his lawsuit, Hollis says he suffered humiliation and emotional distress because of the article.

But FAMU contends Hollis is fortunate he wasn’t expelled. The university also questions any emotional distress by noting he has talked about the incident on national television.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/28/3311791/famu-wants-hazing-related-libel.html#storylink=cpy

Thursday

17

January 2013

1

COMMENTS

Marching 100 Students Petition for Shelby Chipman as Director

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Marching Bands

Students and supporters of the Florida A&M University Marching 100 have launched an online petition advocating for Dr. Shelby Chipman as director of the university’s bands. The petition, which at the publishing of this post has collected 450 signatures, says that Chipman’s experience as a musician and mentor make him the best qualified candidate for the recently relaunched search.

As a professor at Florida A&M, Dr. Chipman’s students have become some of the most sought after music educators in the Southeast region, serving as a testament to his teaching ability. Recently, Dr. Chipman was one of four finalists to be selected as the Director of Marching and Pep Bands at Florida A&M University. Of the four final candidates, Dr. Chipman was the only candidate to present a tangible strategic plan to combat important issues the University is currently battling, as well as an effective and relevant restructuring plan for the Marching and Pep Bands.

Wednesday

16

January 2013

0

COMMENTS

FAMU Reopens Search for Marching 100 Director

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University

Florida A&M University today announced that it has reopened the search for the new director of the Marching 100 Marching Band. The announcement was made a day after the university initially planned to announce the band’s new director, but held the announcement citing concerns from the candidate about the structure of the university’s music department.

We were unable to reach an agreement and we strongly feel that it is time to reopen the search to find the right fit for the task at hand, (FAMU Interim President Larry) Robinson said. Our goal is to continue the tradition that has made the Marching 100 great, but to also ensure that students are able to thrive in the right environment free from outside pressure and influence.

According to FAMU Interim Provost Rodner Wright, who is chair of the search committee, the university had a firm commitment on Monday, but the candidate had several concerns.

This search is a priority for us and we understand how critical this position is in the decision-making process about the return of the Marching 100, Wright said. We want to make sure the candidate understands that our priority is to do what is in the best interest of the university and students.

No timetable was released for when a new director should or would be hired, and officials say that the university is considering using a search firm to identify a new slate of candidates.

Tuesday

15

January 2013

2

COMMENTS

Delayed Debut of Marching 100 Director Shows Commitment to Band’s Future

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Leadership

A full eight hours after the intended debut of the new director of the Marching 100, Florida A&M University announced that negotiations were ongoing with the candidate. If the press release tells the full story about the delay, then students, alums and supporters of FAMU should be excited about the commitment the university has to rebuild and protect the interest of its world-famous marching band. From the press release:

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Thursday

29

November 2012

0

COMMENTS

FAMU Asks for Hazing Lawsuit to Be Dismissed

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University

Saturday

24

November 2012

0

COMMENTS

‘Free the 100′ Campaign Sparks Debate About FAMU Band’s Return

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Leadership

The awkwardness is playing out in dorm rooms and classrooms and publicly through a campaign to “Free the 100.”

The phrase has been chanted spontaneously during campus events. It has been a trending topic on Twitter.

And it has been splashed onto a $25 sweatshirt.

Thursday

8

November 2012

0

COMMENTS

Robert Champion Family Rejects $300K FAMU Settlement Offer

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University

The amount offered is the maximum amount the university can pay without seeking approval by the Florida Legislature.

Attorney Chris Chestnut said it showed that the university wasn’t serious about resolving the case with Robert Champion’s family. Chestnut wouldn’t say what amount the family would consider acceptable.

“Three hundred thousand dollars is substantively low,” Chestnut said.

Monday

22

October 2012

0

COMMENTS

Two Years Probation for Robert Champion Hazing Death Defendant

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Legal

Monday

17

September 2012

0

COMMENTS

Enough Blame to Go Around in Robert Champion Hazing Death, So No One Deserves All of It

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Leadership

When does personal responsibility end and community responsibility begin? What is the role of the village when a child it has raised acts outside of the principles it tried to teach?

That’s the question for Florida A&M and the ongoing case of Robert Champion, as there is new controversy surrounding Florida A&M’s assessment of Champion’s responsibility in his hazing death last November.

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Tuesday

11

September 2012

1

COMMENTS

FAMU Court Filing: Robert Champion Ultimately Responsible for Hazing Death

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Legal

Attorneys for Florida A&M University say that the school cannot be held responsible for the hazing death of Marching 100 drum major Robert Champion, because Champion himself knew the risks and willingly submitted to the hazing practices that led to his death last November. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the filing, made Monday night, is the first motion made in response to the Champion family’s wrongful death suit filed in February.

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Wednesday

5

September 2012

0

COMMENTS

Oklahoma Football Players Sad for Missing Marching 100

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Entertainment, Florida, Florida A&M University

Several Oklahoma University football players are sad that the famous Florida A&M University Marching 100 won’t be making the trip for the Sooners-Rattlers match-up this Saturday. Many with ties to Florida, have a personal story about the band’s impact.

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Thursday

16

August 2012

0

COMMENTS

FAMU Moves to Settle With Family of Robert Champion

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Leadership

The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees voted today to enter mediation with the family of Robert Champion, the Marching 100 drum major killed in a hazing ritual last November. The Champion family has filed a lawsuit against the university claiming that it condoned a culture of hazing within the band, and had information just days before the death of their son that hazing had become a dangerous problem. From the Associated Press:

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Tuesday

31

July 2012

0

COMMENTS

Penn State Could Learn from FAMU

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Editorial

Last week, the NCAA imposed sweeping penalties on the Penn State football program. The penalties, which were in response to the heinous findings in the now-infamous Freeh Report, will likely cripple the Nittany Lions for years.

The Freeh Report confirmed everyone’s worst nightmares. High-level officials at Penn State, including former president, Graham Spanier, and venerated head football coach, Joe Paterno, showed a “total disregard for the safety and welfare” of the boys molested by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. The damning nature of the report is summed up by its fundamental conclusion: “the most powerful men at Penn State failed to take any steps for 14 years to protect the children who Sandusky victimized.”

The report touched off much debate about whether the NCAA should, or even could, discipline the program. The NCAA answered that question by issuing an unprecedented sanction that includes lost scholarships, bowl game suspensions, vacated wins, and a whopping $60 million fine. But it stopped short of the ultimate sanction, a suspension of regular season play—also known as “the death penalty.” Given the nature of the abhorrent behavior among Penn State officials at the highest levels, the death penalty is the only appropriate penalty. The NCAA opted not to impose it. So Penn State itself should.
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Monday

23

July 2012

1

COMMENTS

ESPN’s Jemele Hill Draws Parallels Between FAMU, Penn State

Written by HBCU Digest, Posted in Florida, Florida A&M University, Leadership

ESPN columnist Jemele Hill recently wrote a column drawing some similarities between Florida A&M University and Penn State University in their lapses of executive oversight. The crimes aren’t the same, and bring about differing levels of horror when you think about them.