Florida A&M band suspension reaffirmed

May 14, 2012 - 7:44 PM Tallahassee, FL (Sports Network) - Florida A&M's band will remain on suspension through the 2012-13 school year in the wake of a band member dying during an alleged hazing incident last November.

University president James Ammons told A&M trustees in a conference call Monday that the Marching 100 will not perform while the university works to establish new guidelines for the band. Trustees who spoke on the call supported Ammons' announcement.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges and two others misdemeanor counts stemming from the deadly beating of Robert Champion on a band bus following a game in Orlando last Nov. 19.

Ammons suspended the famed band shortly after Champion's death. Since then, a culture of long-time hazing has been linked to the band.

"Once I feel that the issues are resolved, then we'll look at the re- implementation of the band," Ammons said. "I do think there is a period we should take to ensure that these measures are in place and we have addressed all the institutional issues."

Florida A&M is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.