Director of Florida A&M’s Troubled Band Decides to Retire

The director of Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 band, which has been on suspension since the hazing death of a drum major in November, unexpectedly announced his retirement on Thursday amid continuing revelations about the university’s lax oversight of the band, The Orlando Sentinel reported. The director, Julian White, who had been fighting to keep his job, said recent developments had affected his decision. His announcement came days after the university disclosed that at least two of the band members charged with felony hazing in the death of the drum major, Robert Champion, should not have been in the band, and that nearly 100 other band members may not have been eligible to join the Marching 100. The university’s president will discuss the status of the band in a conference with trustees on Monday.