Bethune sees hike in band tryouts because of FAMU scandal

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - Florida A&M University's longtime rival, Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, has seen a 10 percent to 20 percent uptick in the number of students wanting to try out for its marching band — a direct result, says the band director, of the FAMU hazing scandal.

Director Donovan Wells, whose Marching Wildcats compete each year against FAMU's Marching 100 during the Florida Classic halftime show in Orlando, said many students wanting to join his band are high school students who probably decided to audition for Bethune-Cookman because of uncertainties about FAMU's band. Tryouts for high school students and college transfer students are from January-May.

Some students wanting to try out are from FAMU. Wells, however, will not take ...



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