When perennial college sports rivals Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman universities squared off this past weekend for the annual Florida Classic football game in Orlando, there was more on the minds and agendas of the thousands who attended than the usual who would win the game and how well the world famous, now silent FAMU marching band would perform at half-time.
Amid the fun, laughter and camaraderie that bring the thousands of fans to the classic each year was the haunting memory that this weekend was different. Much time was spent remembering that this time a year ago a popular FAMU drum major died at the hands of some of his own band members after the 2011 Classic as they illegally engaged in a hazing encounter that turned really sour and tarnished FAMU’s image in a way from which it will take years to recover.
The game was preceded the day before by a five-hour “anti-bullying, anti-hazing” symposium and workshop open to the public. On game day, just before kick-off at Citrus Stadium, there was the showing of a brief video about bullying and hazing. There was a moment of silence in memory of all victims of bullying and hazing, including Robert Champion, the 26-year-old Atlanta area FAMU drum major whose death triggered the wave of repercussions that shook FAMU to its core.
On today, Monday, the FAMU Student Government Association is set to hold a remembrance ceremony themed “One Year Later: How We Have Healed and How We Are Moving On.”
Indeed, say FAMU officials, admirers and observers, the past 12 months have been a nightmare of sorts for the university. In the aftermath of Champion’s death, the university’s long-time band director and music department chair resigned after challenging his suspension. The 400-member-plus band and related music department groups were suspended. More than 30 FAMU students were charged with hazing-related crimes, including 13 directly related to Champion’s death. Rigid new rules were imposed for future band activities and in-take for all campus organizations. The fallout costs the president Dr. James Ammons his job.
The developments have repeatedly distracted attention from FAMU’s efforts to celebrate its 125th anniversary and tout the numerous honors it has been awarded this year and in the past for academic achievement and leadership. By the same token, the tragic death and its aftermath have thrust FAMU into reforms it may have never pursued otherwise.
“It has heightened our awareness and heightened our sensitivity,” said interim FAMU President Larry Robinson, the FAMU Provost and nuclear scientist picked this summer by the FAMU board of trustees to run the university until a permanent chief executive is found next year.
