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| Dr. Julian E. White Former Chairman, Music Department and Director of Florida A&M University Bands career comes to end after 39 years of service with high distinction. (click on photo to enlarge) |
ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida A&M University has fired longtime band director Julian White, four days after the death of a drum major in which police say hazing was involved.
"Dr. White has been terminated from employment at the university," said FAMU President James Ammons, citing White’s "inability to stop hazing in the department of music and in the band."
"We are serious: This has to stop," Ammons said in an interview with The Orlando Sentinel. "The highest priority we have as a university is protecting the health, safety and well-being of our students."
The news comes a day after Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings announced that hazing is being investigated in the death of Robert Champion, who collapsed aboard a parked charter bus in front of the Rosen Plaza hotel Saturday night after the Florida Classic football game. The FAMU band performed during halftime.
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Former FAMU band member: Directors knew about hazing
SMYRNA, Georgia -- When Ivery Luckey heard that hazing may be to blame for Robert Champion's death, he wasn't surprised. Thirteen years ago, as a sophomore clarinet player in FAMU's Marching 100, Luckey was beaten so badly he spent 11 days in the hospital.
"I had full renal failure," he said. "My organs were beginning to shut down and toxins were building in my body and I had to go into dialysis."
Luckey joined Florida A&M University's famed band as a freshman in 1997. He later became friends with 26-year-old Robert Champion, the Southwest DeKalb High School grad and FAMU drum major who died last weekend after suspected hazing.
In an exclusive interview with 11Alive's Blayne Alexander, Luckey described his own hazing ordeal. He said it began his sophomore year, when he wanted to secure his place on the field.
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Director of famous marching band fired as university president vows to end initiation ceremonies after 'healthy' drum major dies
Julian White, of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, was unable to stop the alleged ‘hazing’ events in the band and music department, college president James Ammons said.
Robert Champion, 26, was found unresponsive on a bus parked outside a hotel in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night after the school's football team lost to Daytona Beach rival Bethune-Cookman.
Mr Champion was vomiting and had complained he couldn't breathe before he collapsed. Mr White meanwhile has been placed on paid administrative leave and has 10 days to respond to his firing.
The incident happened following a popular football and marching band competition between two of the state's historically black universities at the Florida Clasjavascript:void(0)ic in Orlando.
READ MORE
Former FAMU band member: Directors knew about hazing
SMYRNA, Georgia -- When Ivery Luckey heard that hazing may be to blame for Robert Champion's death, he wasn't surprised. Thirteen years ago, as a sophomore clarinet player in FAMU's Marching 100, Luckey was beaten so badly he spent 11 days in the hospital.
"I had full renal failure," he said. "My organs were beginning to shut down and toxins were building in my body and I had to go into dialysis."
Luckey joined Florida A&M University's famed band as a freshman in 1997. He later became friends with 26-year-old Robert Champion, the Southwest DeKalb High School grad and FAMU drum major who died last weekend after suspected hazing.
In an exclusive interview with 11Alive's Blayne Alexander, Luckey described his own hazing ordeal. He said it began his sophomore year, when he wanted to secure his place on the field.
READ MORE
Director of famous marching band fired as university president vows to end initiation ceremonies after 'healthy' drum major dies
- Julian White fired by Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University president
- James Ammons disappointed White could not stop alleged 'hazing' events
- Robert Champion, 26, died after initiation ceremony on Saturday in Orlando
Julian White, of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Tallahassee, was unable to stop the alleged ‘hazing’ events in the band and music department, college president James Ammons said.
Robert Champion, 26, was found unresponsive on a bus parked outside a hotel in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday night after the school's football team lost to Daytona Beach rival Bethune-Cookman.
Mr Champion was vomiting and had complained he couldn't breathe before he collapsed. Mr White meanwhile has been placed on paid administrative leave and has 10 days to respond to his firing.
The incident happened following a popular football and marching band competition between two of the state's historically black universities at the Florida Clasjavascript:void(0)ic in Orlando.
READ MORE
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