Ex-FAMU band director: "I did all I could"

Dr. Julian White was fired from Florida A&M five days after the suspected hazing death of a rising drum major. Mark Strassmann spoke with the former band director, who says he could not break the band's secret, abusive culture.

[@MCWAY1]

The saddest part is: Champion WOULDN'T HAVE SAID A DARN THING, had he survived.

[@ccharlie05]

Thats messed up!!! He did everything and he did not get any support from the administration but yet they still fired him!

[@michaeldean9338]

When a marching band is -- REALISTICALLY-- more important than your academics, you can't anything less, can you? Sad story.

[@kiascott5979]

He’s responsible. He should hzv3 been fired. He knew!

[@Brokegirlfrombrooklyn]

Tuh R.I.P to Mr. Champion he was a good soul because if that was me they woulda been saying i was soft and everything because they sound like they do the most at FAMU

[@powereng1000]

Dr White knew about hazing… Him and Dr Shelby Chipman promoted the strict precision on the “patch” and in fact a high percentage of band members from Miami, Fl were under his tutelage which were the culprits of hazing were band members that were not even enrolled or had college prep retention issues. I remember that band members who called themselves Juniors or Seniors in band member status had trouble getting pass College prep (remedial) course in general studies

[@TheTexanBorn]

@ikewturner If Dr. White provided the documentation to the school officials and police like it was said then, he himself isn't covering anything up. That's on the school.

[@Joanna-ro3rk]

hazing or no hazing, people who really love marching band will still want to go to FAMU and march. I know I do

[@angelacooper8973]

Hazing is supposed to be fun. People do take it too far sometimes but as long as it’s having fun hazing is good

[@thatbandguy8780]

Angela Cooper ion thank its supposed Ta be fun ..but it shouldn’t go that far

[@meeeedee6821]

We sure you do.. and if we see you on one of these new coverages then we’ll be saying oh well

[@eyeonwashparish]

Somebody always has to get thrown to the wolves. Made me think of the October Surprise.

[@phantomsuccour]

Despicable

[@taylorwest4414]

Dude was 26???????

[@kiascott5979]

Everyone doesn’t go straight to college after high school and everyone doesn’t graduate in 4 years.

[@taylorwest4414]

Why was he so old in a collegiate band?

[@dperfect28]

Same reason Georgia QB was 26 his last season there

[@johnhawk1969]

Anybody think that was a satanic ritual?

[@mikayln]

Yes! Anyone and anything that *kills, steals, and/or destroys* (including our people killing our own) is DEMONIC. Jesus came to give *life and life more abundantly* .

[@foreverjalia]

Yes

[@dperfect28]

It was a hate crime cause he was 🌈

[@dirtysprite6312]

he was 26?! 🤔

[@lsubandtrumpet2014]

He's a drum Major...he's a leader. Also, my African American people...don't show the world this. Stop this hazing ! This is embarrassing to me and my race, AfricanAmerican

[@rodneywilliams5071]

Easy enough to fix. If hazing were that prevalent.....you simply cut the membership....until you can manage the number more effectively. It was a gigantic somewhat raggedy band anyway. Way too many kids. So no ....you did not do all you could sir.

[@ShutUpAndBump]

Not that simple!!

[@70mile]

Speaking as a former HBCU band member and also section leader, it is really not that simple. Yeah you can kick people out and make all the speeches, but the culture is much more deeper. Especially when kids be in the bands and they want to be hazed.

[@dirtysprite6312]

shut up Rodney

[@kiascott5979]

Cut the program for YEARS like they do sororities and frats! @@70mile

[@dperfect28]

They actually did cut down on members that season & cut 4 DM for hazing

[@franktahaka4997]

you did great dr white

[@dayvonsavage315]

Snitch....