Robert Champion: FAMU Hazing Death, Bus C, and Reforms

Robert Champion’s death from the FAMU hazing incident happened on November 19, 2011, when the 26-year-old drum major for Florida A&M University’s “Marching 100” was beaten during a ritual called “Crossing Bus C” on a charter bus parked outside an Orlando hotel. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide caused by hemorrhagic shock from blunt force trauma. Fifteen former band members were eventually charged, the university’s president resigned, the famed marching band was silenced for nearly two years, and Florida later strengthened its anti-hazing laws.1The New York Times. Drum Major Robert Champion’s Death Ruled Hazing Homicide

What Happened on Bus C

The band had traveled to Orlando for a football game against Bethune-Cookman. That evening, back at the Rosen Plaza hotel, Champion took part in a ritual known as “Crossing Bus C,” which required an initiate to walk from the front of a parked charter bus to the back while band members packed the aisle and beat them with fists, drumsticks, mallets, and belt straps. Before that attempt, Champion had already endured a separate suffocation ritual band members called the “hot seat.”2NPR. New Documents Describe Brutal Hazing That Killed FAMU Drum Major

After reaching the back of the bus, Champion vomited, complained of thirst and fatigue, said he was losing his vision, and struggled to breathe. He collapsed and died within an hour.3BBC News. FAMU Drum Major Robert Champion Hazing Death The Orange County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, finding Champion died of “hemorrhagic shock due to soft tissue hemorrhage, due to blunt force trauma.” The autopsy documented extensive bruising to his chest, arms, shoulder, and back, along with heavy internal bleeding, though there were no bone fractures or damage to internal organs. Toxicology tests found no drugs or alcohol in his system.1The New York Times. Drum Major Robert Champion’s Death Ruled Hazing Homicide

Who Robert Champion Was

Robert Darnell Champion IV grew up in Decatur, Georgia, the second of three children of Robert Champion III and Pamela Champion. He picked up the clarinet in fifth grade, taught himself drums and keyboard in middle school, and at Southwest DeKalb High School became one of the youngest head drum majors in the school’s history, performing at the Rose Bowl and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. His ambition was to graduate from FAMU and return to Southwest DeKalb as its band director.4Palm Beach Post. FAMU Hazing Victim Robert Champion Following his death, Champion was an organ and tissue donor.5StopHazing.org. Robert Champion, Drum Major

The Criminal Cases

In May 2012, prosecutors in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit charged 13 people in connection with Champion’s death, 11 with felony hazing and two with misdemeanor hazing.6The New York Times. 13 Charged in Hazing Death at Florida A&M The total eventually reached 15 former band members facing either manslaughter or hazing-resulting-in-death, both felonies.7Daily Press. FAMU Band Member Sentenced to a Year in Jail in Robert Champion Hazing Case

Dante Martin, the Ringleader

The most closely watched prosecution was that of Dante Martin, identified as the “president of Bus C.” On October 31, 2014, a Florida jury found Martin guilty of manslaughter and felony hazing. On January 9, 2015, Judge Renee Roche sentenced him to 77 months in prison, just over six years. The judge said she deviated from sentencing guidelines after hearing testimony that Champion had been a “willing participant” and after character witnesses described Martin as a “remarkable young man.”8CBS News. Dante Martin, Ringleader in FAMU Hazing Death, Sentenced to 6 Years

The Other Defendants

Sentences for the remaining defendants varied widely:

Most of the remaining defendants received combinations of probation and community service for what the presiding judge characterized as “minor roles.”11CBS News. Sentencing for 3 Involved in FAMU Hazing Death of Robert Champion

The Civil Settlements

Champion’s parents, Pamela and Robert Champion Sr., sued Florida A&M for wrongful death and negligence, arguing the university had failed to address a well-known culture of hazing. Attorney Christopher Chestnut originally sought $8 million.12Orlando Sentinel. FAMU Settles Hazing Lawsuit Spawned by Death of Drum Major Robert Champion In September 2015, with trial a month away, the parties settled for $1.1 million. Of that, $800,000 came from the Rosen Plaza hotel’s insurance carrier and $300,000 from the state’s Department of Financial Services, the maximum FAMU could pay without a special legislative claims bill.13Tallahassee Democrat. FAMU Settles With Family of Robert Champion FAMU also agreed to rename its band’s anti-hazing program the “Robert Champion, Jr. Anti-Hazing Program,” install a commemorative plaque, and issue a formal letter of apology from the Board of Trustees.14CBS News. FAMU Settles With Family of Robert Champion, Drum Major Who Died After Hazing

The family had also sued Fabulous Coach Lines and its driver, Wendy Mellette, in February 2012, alleging Mellette stood guard at the bus door during the ritual and forced Champion back onto the bus after he stepped off to vomit. The suit further alleged company managers knew hazing routinely occurred on their buses after football games and told drivers who complained to ignore it because “FAMU was paying for it and could do what they want.”15CBS News. Parents of Slain FAMU Band Member Robert Champion Sue Bus Driver and Bus Company The family reached a confidential settlement with the bus company in the summer of 2013.16MyNews13. FAMU Band Member’s Family Settles With Bus Company

Fallout at FAMU

Within a week of Champion’s death, university President James Ammons fired longtime band director Julian White, citing “incompetence in handling accusations of hazing.” FAMU had to rescind the termination after law enforcement warned it could jeopardize the criminal investigation, and White announced his retirement in May 2012. White maintained he had fought hazing for years, noting he had suspended 26 band members for hazing just two weeks before Champion’s death and reported those actions to administrators, only to be “second-guessed” rather than supported.17WFSU. After Announcing Retirement, FAMU’s Band Director Speaks

In June 2012, the FAMU Board of Trustees passed a vote of no confidence against Ammons, 8 to 4.18NPR. Florida A&M President Resigns in Wake of Hazing Scandal The next month, on the same day the university was added as a defendant in the family’s wrongful death lawsuit, Ammons submitted his resignation, effective October 11, 2012. Police chief Calvin Ross also retired, and two music professors were forced to resign for their presence at a 2010 hazing event.19Orlando Sentinel. FAMU President James Ammons Resigns Amid Hazing Scandal

In December 2012, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges placed FAMU on probation for one year, citing concerns about student safety, institutional integrity involving false audit summaries, and lax financial oversight of the band. The accrediting body warned that losing accreditation would jeopardize students’ federal financial aid eligibility.20CNN. Florida FAMU Probation The probation was lifted in December 2013 after a review found the university was making progress.21WUSF. Florida A&M Probation Lifted

FAMU suspended the Marching 100 immediately after Champion’s death. A new band director, Dr. Sylvester Young, was hired in May 2013, and the university lifted the suspension on June 27, 2013.22ABC News. FAMU Lifts Suspension of Famed Marching Band After Hazing Death The band performed publicly for the first time in 21 months at a season-opening football game in August 2013.23CNN. Florida FAMU Band

Changes to Florida’s Hazing Law

At the time of Champion’s death, Florida’s main hazing statute was the 2005 Chad Meredith Act, passed after the drowning death of a University of Miami student.24Orlando Sentinel. 8 Years After Robert Champion Jr.’s Death, We’re Still Not Changing Mindsets About Hazing In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1080, called “Andrew’s Law” after Andrew Coffey, a Florida State University pledge who died in 2017. The law holds fraternity and sorority leaders accountable for hazing events they plan even if they are not physically present, and it provides immunity from prosecution for the first person to call 911 and for anyone who renders aid while waiting for emergency services. The bill passed the Florida Senate unanimously, 40 to 0.25Miami Herald. Florida Anti-Hazing Law SB 1080

The Family’s Foundation

Weeks after their son’s death, Pamela and Robert Champion Sr. established the Robert D. Champion Drum Major for Change Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating as the Be A Champion Foundation. The Champions have taken their advocacy to schools, Congress, and the U.S. Department of Education.26Hope Global Forums. Pamela Champion Central to their message is the argument that the word “hazing” functions as a “dismissive rationalization” for what they say should be recognized plainly as violence. His parents remember him as “the one that marched to his own beat” and honor his legacy under the title he always aspired to: Drum Major for Change.5StopHazing.org. Robert Champion, Drum Major