Lawyer: Florida A&M has "culture of hazing"

LITHONIA, Ga. - Florida A&M University had a "culture of hazing" that led to the recent death of a marching band member, an attorney for the student's family said Monday.

Attorney Christopher Chestnut said the family plans to file a lawsuit in the death of 26-year-old Robert Champion, who was found Nov. 19 on a bus parked outside an Orlando, Fla., hotel after the school's football team lost to rival Bethune-Cookman.

Police said Champion, a clarinet player who recently was named drum major, had been vomiting and complained he couldn't breathe shortly before he collapsed. Police said hazing played a role in his death but have not released any more details. Chestnut also refused to talk about any specifics.

"We are confident from what we've learned that hazing was a part of his death. We've got to expose this culture and eradicate it," Chestnut said. "There's a pattern and practice of covering up this culture."

Longtime Florida A&M band director fired
Florida A&M band suspended after death
Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion dies after suspected hazing incident

Meanwhile, the band director who was fired from the school last week said he was unfairly dismissed and will fight to get his job back. Longtime band director Julian White said he had suspended band members this semester for hazing-related incidents before Champion's death.

White said he feared the hazing linked to Champion's death could mean the end of the school's famed Marching 100 band, which has performed at Super Bowls and other high-profile events.

Champion's parents said their son never told them about any troubles with the band.

"He loved the band, and every band he's been in. He loved performing in the band," said Champion's mother, Pam Champion. "My thing is to make sure this does not happen to anyone else, let people know this is real."

Since Champion's death, the school has shuttered the Marching 100 band and the rest of the music department's performances. Florida Gov. Rick Scott has said state investigators would join the probe and the college announced an independent review led by a former state attorney general.

No charges have been filed, but any death involving hazing is a third-degree felony in Florida.

Under Florida law, any monetary award Champion's family wins in a lawsuit in excess of $200,000 against a government institution like FAMU can only be paid if approved by the Legislature and governor.