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Hazing Investigation Files Contain Window into Band Culture

May 24th, 2012 by Mike Vasilinda

Reams of investigative reports and hours of recorded conversations are shining new light on the practice of hazing at Florida A&M University. The death of Drum major Robert Champion has resulted in 11 people being charged with felonies. As Mike Vasilinda tells us the events that lead to the drum majors death were planned in the back of a limo.

Investigative reports show Robert Champion was one of three people who walked the gauntlet on Bus C the night he died. Percussionist Lissette Sanchez told investigators nat sot she was allowed to make the walk.

She also said the unwritten rules of hazing were known by everyone.

“I mean, they tell you,” Sanchez said. “It’s not a secret. It’s not a secret to anybody.”

Sanchez also implicated the bus driver.

“She goes bus C and then she makes a noise,” she said.

“She goes “Bus C, blah” and then she gets off the bus?” Detective Dave Phelan asks.

Band members called this sitting in the hot seat. They would kneel on the backseat of the bus, and cover up with a blanket to be pummeled by fists, just to earn the right to walk down the aisle of a bus and be hit again.

Drum Major Keon Hollis followed Sanchez that night.

“I think you do it for acceptance, to be accepted, and to gain the respect of your peers. It’s one of those types of things,” Drum Major Keon Hollis said.

And he described his hazing in detail.

“They were using hands, straps, I saw a cone,” Hollis said.

“A cone?” the detective asked.

“Yeah,” Hollis replied.

“Like a big orange cone?” the detective asked.

“Yes, sir,” he said.

“Slaps or punches?” the detective asked.

“Both,” Hollis replied.

Band members say hazing was voluntary. An autopsy report also shows he was free from drugs and alcohol that night.

Few of those interviewed voluntarily identified others the first time they were asked by investigators.

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