FAMU band director fired after suspected hazing
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The longtime band director at Florida A&M University has been fired after the suspected hazing death of a drum major.
FAMU president James Ammons sent band director Julian White a termination letter Wednesday, citing White's inability to stop the suspected hazing in the band and music department.
Officials say 26-year-old Robert Champion was found unresponsive on a bus parked outside an Orlando hotel on Saturday night after the school's football team lost to rival Bethune-Cookman. Champion was vomiting and had complained he couldn't breathe before he collapsed.
A telephone message left at White's home wasn't immediately returned. White has been placed on paid administrative leave and has 10 days to respond to his firing.
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Associated Press writer David Fischer in Miami contributed to this report.
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