Rush to judgment easy to do after tragedy

Everybody’s talking except those who know.

On Monday, Julian E. White proclaimed that he did nothing wrong with respect to the alleged hazing-related death of a FAMU drum major. The former director of bands made his side of the story known during a round of media interviews that no first-year law student would ever permit a client to give.

An earlier November 25 letter from White’s attorney, Charles E. Hobbs, claimed that “hazing within the Marching 100 has often been met with reckless indifference by White’s superior officers who often ignored his requests for assistance.”

While, I'm no lawyer, my father who is reminds me that "allegations are far from evidence."

White’s accusations against the university administration should give all of us some pause. Clearly, his main motive is to save his job and salvage his reputation (or at least what is left of it following the flurry of negative headlines).

That is why it is very troubling to see that the Florida Board of Governors has decided to investigate the FAMU administration based purely upon the facts that hazing is suspected in Robert D. Champion’s death and White says his superiors did not do enough to help him fight hazing.

Ammons: FAMU will root out underground hazing

At the advice of counsel, FAMU President James H. Ammons cancelled a scheduled interview with the Tallahassee Democrat's editorial board and submitted a written statement to the newspaper. From the FAMU president's office:

Hazing is completely against the law -- and, it's a violation of FAMU Board of Trustees Regulations. More than that, it is an infringement on the basic human rights of any and all individuals.

Our first priority -- and my resolute commitment -- at Florida A&M University is to protect and to ensure the health, safety and well being of every individual: students, faculty, staff and visitors.

We want all of the facts and all of the truth regarding the death of Robert Champion. And we will take appropriate steps to get justice for Mr. Champion -- and to institute a complete culture change.

Champions discuss decision to sue FAMU

White: "I did everything I could to stop hazing"

Julian White, the former FAMU band director, insists he did everything he could to prevent hazing prior to the death of a band member who, police say, died as a result of some form of hazing.

Earlier today, White, spoke publicly today for the first time, telling reporters he did everything possible to prevent the tragedy, and forcefully rejected accusations that he was negligent in his handling of hazing among. About the same time White was meeting with media, just over a hundred of band members prayed and chanted outside the university president’s office in support of their fired band director.

White says he suspended 26 band members for hazing-related incidents before the band's trip to Orlando and he notified FAMU President James Ammons. White says he asked for Ammons' help with the situation, but felt like he was the only one taking the situation seriously.

White believes Champion's death could have been avoided if Ammons had taken some action. Instead, White says the administration tried to make him a scapegoat.

Rattler football team inks deal to play Ohio State in 2013 for $850k

The Rattler football team will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the Ohio State University Buckeyes on Sept. 7, 2013.

This game will be the first-ever meeting between the two institutions on the gridiron.

FAMU will be paid an $850,000 guarantee for the contest.

Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes' home, will be the largest the Rattlers have ever played in. In 2003, the Rattlers played before 90,000 in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium against the University of Florida Gators. Ohio Stadium's 102,000 seat stadium, which consistently sells out, will be a new experience for the Rattlers.

The Rattlers and Buckeyes have a several connections. Legendary FAMU Head Coach A.S. "Jake" Gaither, was a graduated of Ohio State, as was Rudy Hubbard, another FAMU Hall of Fame coach. In addition, Ohio State Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes, attended a coaches camp led by Gaither.

Costa "Pop" Kittles, a former FAMU head baseball coach and quarterbacks coach for Gaither earned his master's degree from Ohio State.

CIS Student awarded NCWIT Student Seed Fund grant

The National Conference on Women in Information Technology (NCWIT) has selected the FAMU African-American Women in Computer Science (AAWCS) Scholarship Program to receive the Return Path Student Seed Fund Grant.

The grant, valued at $500, has been awarded to Olivia Wilson, a junior computer and information sciences student from Tallahassee, Fla.

“I am happy and honored to get this fund,” she said. “With it, I can do more to help recruit for not only our department, but for this field as well.

The grant is to be applied toward activities designed to recruit and attract women to the field of computing. The award will also be announced at the next national NCWIT event.

With this funding, Wilson plans to develop and implement several initiatives to recruit women to the field, including a Showcase of Women in Information Technology Luncheon, that will feature women in computer science and information technology speaking to high school and college women. In addition, prizes and mini-scholarships will be offered.

“Coming into the technology field, I noticed that there is a shortage of women here—especially minority women,” said Wilson. “With the grant, I plan to do something that draws high school students, specifically women, to the field and show them that they can be successful as well.”

Jason Black, AAWCS principal investigator and Wilson’s adviser, said he is proud of Wilson and her accomplishment.

“This is an exciting offer,” said Black. “We are already dedicated to this goal and this funding will definitely aid in our efforts to increase these numbers.”

Wilson works with the Students and Technology in Academia, Research and Services Program, where she uses the information she gathers from her programs for research to assist in recruiting women to the technology field.

Julian White and Marching 100 supporters create facebook group

A group of Julian White and Marching 100 supporters have formed a facebook group to "bring focus to (some of) the amazing GOOD things that being apart of the FAMU band brings about."

The group said, through a press release, that it offers its condolences to the Champion family for their loss, but also wants to "bring light to many lives that have been saved and enhanced by the Marching 100."

In building a case for White's reappointment, Kim Mc Phall, a former band member, said "Dr. White taught me about leadership, hard work, and integrity.  He's been a great father figure since the day I stepped on campus."

In less than 24 hrs, 600 have joined the group.

Badger: Ammons has responded appropriately

FAMU Board of Trustees Chairman Solomon L. Badger, III has released a public statement that expresses support for President James H. Ammons' response to the death of student Robert D. Champion. The full text appears below:

The members of the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees are deeply saddened by the loss of our student Robert Champion. Each of us will keep his family and the FAMU family in our prayers.

Since the unfortunate incident on Saturday, I have been in constant discussion with President Ammons. He has responded appropriately to this tragic situation and he has taken measures to get to the root cause of what has happened.

Champion's retain lawyer; plan to sue

Chris Chestnut, Esq

The family of Robert Champion has retained Gainesville attorney Christopher Chestnut, the attorney said. 


Champion who died last Saturday following the Florida Classic football as a result of what authorities believe was hazing related activity.  On Tuesday, FAMU suspended all music by all groups, including the marching band, and on Wednesday dismissed band director Julian White. 


Chestnut said Champion’s distraught family believes the actions are “too little, too late.”
“He had worked all of his life to reach that goal and it ultimately cost him his life,” Chestnut said.
Champion, a clarinet player, had recently been named drum major.

Julian Whites seeks reinstatement

Julian White, former director of the FAMU Marching 100 director Julian White has retained Tallahassee Attorney Chuck Hobbs and is looking to be reinstated as director of bands at Florida A&M University.

In a seven-page letter to FAMU president James Ammons, Hobbs has requested Ammons "rescind his decision and allow Dr. White to his full rank and privileges.

In the letter, Hobbs says Ammons and his leadership team were provided copies of hazing incidents and suspensions that have occurred since 2006 and may be material witness to future legal actions.

Hobbs also said the university could have taken "swifter action" regarding hazing incidents that Dr. White brought to their attention. 

Read the full letter here.

Wells Fargo backing FAMU Law's foreclosure workshop

Valerie Hendriex, vice president of Senior Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo (third from right), presented a $10,000 commemorative check to FAMU College of Law Dean LeRoy Pernell.

The funds will be used to host a mortgage foreclosure workshop through the FAMU Legal Clinic under the direction of Associate Professor Ann Marie Cavazos (right).

Also pictured are: Mildred Graham, FAMU College of Law Director of Development and Alumni Affairs (left) and Eunice Cassuade-Garcia, visiting instructor and coordinator of the FAMU Housing Clinic (second from right).

Happy Thanksgiving!

The blogging team here at Rattler Nation wishes you and your family a happy Thanksgiving holiday.

Julian White out as Band Director as Governor asks FDLE to Investigate Band Hazing

FAMU has decided to seek new leadership for its music and band programs, Julian White who had led the program since 1998 has been dismissed.  His termination comes four days after the death of drum major Robert Champion, who investigators say was hazed following the university’s Florida Classic football game in Orlando.

FAMU President James H. Ammons said, “I admire and respect Dr. White for his body of work. He is a distinguished musician, teacher and administrator. But as director of bands, I just didn’t think that we had the kind of controls and accountability that we need to have in those bands and those organizations under his supervision.”

Rattler sweethearts make it official during Florida Classic

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies,” Joe Bullard recited from Proverbs 31:10 over the Orlando Citrus Bowl’s public announcement system. “Who can find a virtuous woman that overflows with so much beauty? Orlando, if you look at the 50 yard line, you’ll find the virtues in Miss Kindall Johnson.”

As Bullard spoke, former FAMU Student Body Vice-President Calvin Hayes escorted his longtime college girlfriend onto the field before a crowd of 60,218 during the Florida Classic's halftime show.

“Kindall,” Bullard said. “Calvin wants to know…Will you be his wife?”

On cue, Hayes promptly knelt down on one knee and offered the former Miss Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University an engagement ring. She responded with an excited “yes!”

In the background, the Marching 100 played the couple’s favorite song: “Always and Forever.”

Orange County Sheriff says hazing involved in death of FAMU band member

Orange County Sheriff Jerry L. Demings announced today that hazing was involved in the death of FAMU student Robert Champion in Orlando last weekend.

Results of an autopsy performed Monday were inconclusive, Demings said. More medical tests will be performed.

Demings' comments came just hours after FAMU announced it has suspended all band performances while the university investigates the circumstances of the drum major's death in Orlando amid allegations of hazing within the marching band.

FAMU President Dr. James Ammons announced today that FAMU is organizing an independent task force related to "unauthorized and questionable" activities within the 375-member marching band.

The panel would try to "determine if there are patterns of inappropriate behavior within the culture of the band," Ammons said.


Meanwhile, the Orange County Sheriff's department  is conducting a criminal investigation.

Band's silence is troubling

In light of the recent death of a FAMU Marching 100 drum major, band members told the Tallahassee Democrat  that they have been instructed not to speak to the media.


"The mood on FAMU's campus is tense. The usual upbeat attitudes and smiles of the members of FAMU's Marching 100 around the Foster-Tanner building were replaced with closed mouths Monday," Democrat reporter Jordan Culver wrote.


"With their arms folded and their lips pursed, students surrounding a typical campus hangout for the band kept to themselves. A Democrat reporter who tried to approach six different band members was told they were instructed not to speak to the media," he wrote.


The punishment for on-the-record interviews, they said, was dismissal from the band.

B-CU Apologizes for Potentially Insensitive Comments

Bethune-Cookman University President Trudie Kibbe Reed and the Marching Wildcats Band Director Donovan Wells, issued an apology yesterday on behalf of the B-CU family, and expressed regret for (potentially) inappropriate comments regarding FAMU drum majors made over the public announcement system at the Florida Classic game.

B-CU band announcer Horatio Walker concluded the Wildcats’ show by telling FAMU’s Marching 100 band to “do what you do best ‘roll over, crawl away and die.”

In an unfortunate, unrelated coincidence, 26-year-old FAMU drum major Robert Champion died shortly after his performance in the Florida Classic sparking some criticism of Walker’s earlier comments.

Reed and Wells offered  their sincerest condolences to Florida A&M University and the family of drum major, Mr. Robert Champion. 


"These comments were made during friendly competition and were not intended to be malicious, we recognize that these words were insensitive and hurtful," Reed and Wells said.


President Reed vows to take this issue to the Florida Classic Consortium to propose a neutral screening of each team's scripts before the game begins to ensure that an incident of this nature does not happen again.


The B-CU family is distraught over the death of this young man and shares in the sorrow and the grief of his loved ones.  The loss of this exceptional band member goes beyond the walls of Florida A&M and touches the hearts of every HBCU family member across the nation. We have all lost someone dear to our hearts and will keep the Champion family in our prayers through this difficult time.

Ammons consoles students

FAMU President James H. Ammons addressed the student body regarding the death of Marching 100 drum major Robert D. Champion. The full text of his comments are below:

"I know that this is a very difficult time for members of the Marching "100." You have lost one of your leaders. I just want you to know that I feel your pain and our prayers go out to you and to Mr. Champion's family.

"This is a major loss for our student body, the Marching "100" and the University. Any time we lose a student in the prime of his or her life it is disheartening and painful. This year, we have lost two of our students, so this is not easy.

“I know that this loss is going to painful for the band, but I want you to know that the university is here to support you in any way we can. I want to stress that if any of you who are asked to provide information to the Orange County Sheriff's Office about what happened in relation to Mr. Champion's death, I want you to be cooperative.

Lady Rattlers fall to UMES in MEAC volleyball championship

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore defeated FAMU 3-2 to win the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball championship Sunday afternoon. The win was the first-ever MEAC volleyball crown for the Lady Hawks.

UMES was led by Saitaua Iosia with 25 kills and 11 digs in the set and was named the Tournament Outstanding Performer. Lady Hawk Head Coach Don Metil was named the Outstanding Coach.

The Lady Rattlers were led by Maria Ceccarelli who had 22 kills and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

In surprise move, FCS denies playoff invite to Bethune-Cookman

The Football Championship Subdivision shocked Bethune-Cookman University this afternoon by declining to extend the Wildcats an at-large playoff invitation.

Last evening, B-CU Coach Brian Jenkins told the Orlando Sentinel that he thought his team’s playoff prospects were strong after clinching a 26-16 Florida Classic victory over FAMU.

“I’m hopeful that people take notice and do the right thing and put us in the playoffs,” Jenkins said. “Not only should we get one (an invite), we belong. You know, I’m gonna say this, ‘If we get overlooked and they take another team with a lesser record … that would be catastrophic, to me, in this division of college football. Something is wrong.”

B-CU received an at-large invitation last year after posting an 11-1 regular season record. The Wildcats lost in the first round to New Hampshire, 45-20.

Norfolk State (9-2), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion, will face off against Old Dominion (9-2) in the first round of the playoffs on November 26.

Wildcats dash FAMU's playoff hopes

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats clinched their first Florida Classic victory over FAMU since 2007, netting a big win in a contest widely seen as a battle for an at-large playoff invitation.

B-CU topped the Rattlers 26-16 in a game that drew 60,218 fans.

In the miscues department, the Rattlers were flagged seven times for a total loss of 85 yards. They lalso ost two of three fumbles, including a crucial fumble on a broken play during which the Rattlers assumed they heard a whistle and stopped. B-CU continued on that play and recovered the ball from quarterback Damien Fleming. Additionally, the Rattlers tossed three interceptions, while picking off just pass in the game.

FAMU kicker Trevor Scott ended the season perfect on PATS, going 36-36, tying the 100 percent record of Maurice "Foot" Freeman. Freeman holds the edge with a perfect 40-for-40 made PATS in 1983.

The Rattlers finished the season with an overall record of 7-4 and 5-3 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while B-CU came with an 8-3 overall record and 6-2 in the conference.

Tragedy strikes FAMU band following classic

President James Ammons shakes hands with  Robert Champion following the 2011Atlanta Classic football game.

Robert D. Champion, a member of the FAMU Marching 100, and 2004 graduate of Atlanta's Southwest DeKalb High School, collapsed and died late last night in Orlando.


Champion spent the 2011 season as a FAMU drum major. According to his facebook page, he was a Music Technology/Education major, and performed with the band at the Florida Classic earlier yesterday.


FAMU President James Ammons said, "Champion's death was a major loss for the university and our hearts and prayers go out to his family."


Orange County Sheriff Office said Champion was vomiting and complaining of being unable to breath outside the Rosen Plaza Hotel after the Florida Classic game.  His friends called 911 and started to administer CPR.  He was transported to Orlando's Dr. Phillips Hospital where he died.


Sheriff Officials said an investigation is ongoing, and no foul play is suspected at this time.

FAMU, B-CU presidents share laughs before Florida Classic

The Head Rattler and Head Wildcat exchanged laughs in anticipation of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida Classic.

FAMU President James H. Ammons and Bethune-Cookman University President Trudie Kibbie Reed both predicted victory for their respective teams at a pre-game luncheon held yesterday.

Ammons said he believed the Orange & Green would prevail because he "had a dream that we got an excessive celebreation penalty." Afterwards, he brought the audience to its feet with the Rattler Charge.

Not to be outdone, Reed said she had received a sign that pointed to a Wildcat victory from a fortune cookie. She said the cookie told her that the keys to the game's outcome were in her purse.

"There is something in my purse with the color of the winner," Reed said. Opening her purse, Reed pulled out a gold cloth.

The Florida Classic, which has now sold all of its ticketed seats, is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans.

O’Duor steps down as VP of audit and compliance

Charles O’Duor has resigned as FAMU’s vice-president of audit and compliance. He had served in the position since 2007.

According to The FAMUan, O’Duor’s exit comes in the wake of an outside review of the Division of Audit and Compliance which found that the office had submitted executive summaries of 15 audits to the Board of Trustees instead of the full reports. Additionally, the outside review stated that an audit and review plan was not in place.

"These are very serious allegations because the Division of Audit and Compliance is the university's principal organization for assisting the University in maintaining university-wide external and internal compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, processes and internal controls," President James H. Ammons said.

Chief Communications Officer Sharon Saunders emphasized the university’s financial health remains strong.

"The audit referred to during the investigation are internal audits of areas the university want reviewed and not the annual audit conducted by the state auditor general. Since the 2007-08 academic year, FAMU has received clean unqualified audits from the auditor general," Saunders said.

FAMU volleyball begins quest to reclaim MEAC crown

The FAMU volleyball team will begin its quest to reclaim the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) crown tomorrow during the championship tournament in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Lady Rattlers went 9-1 in the conference this year to capture their fifth consecutive South Division title and a top seed in the tourney.

FAMU won nine straight MEAC championship titles from 2000 to 2009. It has claimed 13 conference championships, overall. Coach Tony Trifonov says the team's goal is to bring the MEAC trophy back home to Tallahassee and, just as importantly, represent FAMU in the national championship race.

"It's keeping the tradition, the proud tradition at Florida A&M," Trifonov told The FAMUan. "Another championship means another trip to the NCAA tournament."

Defending MEAC champion South Carolina State (8-2) captured the second seed in the southern division. Bethune-Cookman (6-4) earned the third seed and North Carolina Central (5-5) rounded out the fourth and final seed.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Lady Hawks claimed the second top seed in the tournament by finishing their season with an unblemished 12-0 mark in conference play en route to their fifth consecutive MEAC northern divisional title. UMES recorded over 20 victories for the fifth straight year and concluded the regular season on a 15 match win streak.

Lady Rattlers open season with 78-59 win over JU

The FAMU Lady Rattlers (1-0, 0-0 MEAC) opened their season with a 78-59 win against the Jacksonville University Lady Dolphins (0-2).

Antonia Bennett (pictured) led all scorers with 27 points. Qiana Donald, one of the best rebounders in Lady Rattlers history, grabbed 13 rebounds. She also scored 13 points.

While the Lady Rattlers pulled out the victory, Coach LeDawn Gibson felt the team has room for improvement.

"The first few minutes we played real sloppy," Gibson said. "We didn't protect the ball well. We had several turnovers in the first half and that led to low scoring output in the half. After the half, I think the team worked much more cohesively. They turned up the defense and that led to the increase in scoring."

Volleyball clinches MEAC Southern Division title

The FAMU volleyball team clinched the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southern Division title by blanking the Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats (12-18,6-4 MEAC) 3-0.

The Lady Rattlers (11-12, 9-1 MEAC) won 25-23, 25-17 and 25-16. After a slow start, FAMU got on a roll and fended off the resurgent Lady Wilcats. Three Lady Rattlers finished with double digit kills. Katherine Huanec finished with 15, Maria Ceccarelli carded 11 and Pamela Barrera scored 10. As a team, FAMU hit .323 on the day, on 44-for-93 attempts.

"We started a little bit tense," Coach Tony Trifonov said. "It's a rivalry game so it's always like that. Every sport we play Bethune-Cookman in it's like that."

The Lady Rattlers, will head into the MEAC tournament with the number one seed in the Southern division.

FAMU's netters are ready to regain the MEAC crown.

"We are showing in practice that we're getting better," Barrera said. "We need to bring that championship back home where it belongs. We're happy and excited about the challenge."

SUS PECO crisis worsens

The State University System of Florida (SUS) will be lucky to receive $20M of the $145M in Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds it has requested for 2012-2013.

Florida’s PECO Revenue Estimating Committee has lowered its projection for the program’s maximum amount in response to a decline in the Gross Receipts Tax forecast. PECO funds come from utility taxes and go to public education building projects.

PECO money has become scarce due to the Great Recession, which has tanked the housing market and led to the closure of numerous businesses. Floridaians are also using a variety of methods to shave their energy costs, including purchasing more energy efficient appliances. These problems are all taking a heavy toll on the tax collections to go toward the PECO fund.

“It's intensified right now because of the economy, but there is a general trend too,” Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research, told the News Service of Florida. “Habits are changing. People who buy a different kind of light bulb will continue to buy a different kind of light bulb.”

Rattlers leap over Eagles, 31-10

Lavante Page (pictured) scored a pair of touchdowns and Eddie Rocker rushed for the century mark as the Florida A&M Rattlers Football team won their fourth straight in a 31-10 win over North Carolina Central at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Page picked up his 13th and 14th TDs of the season as he gave the Rattlers a 14-0 lead early in teh game.

With 3:46 left in the half, Damien Fleming threw to Anthony Ray, who fumbled near the end zone. Tobias Lee scooped up the fumble and scored FAMU's third TD of the game on a one-yard fumble recovery, giving FAMU a 21-0 lead, after the Trevor Scott PAT.

Two minutes later, Fleming connected with Kevin Elliott for a 14-yard TD reception, giving FAMU a 28-0 led into the break.

In the second half, the NCCU defense held the Rattler offense to just 97 yards. The Eagles offense outgained the Rattlers 139-97 in the second half.

FAMU scored its final points of the game from a 42-yard Scott field goal with 3:16 left in the game.

The Rattlers (7-3, 5-2 MEAC) were paced by Rocker as he rushed for 128 yards on 17 carries, followed by Page with 32 yard on 12 carries with a pair of TDs.

Fleming finished the game with 15-of-24 passes for 186 yards, which included two passing TDs. Elliott led the FAMU receivers with 82 yards receiving on five catches with a TD.

Student invited to participate in White House Community Leaders Briefing Series

Reamonn Soto, a senior majoring in physics at FAMU, has been invited to the White House to participate in the White House Community Leaders Briefing Series on November 10 for Florida leaders.

The briefing series is a unique opportunity for grassroots leaders to come to Washington to hear directly from White House officials on the issues that are affecting communities across the country and learn more about the president’s priorities and initiatives from the people that work on them every day.

In return, Administration staff will learn what is going on in cities and towns across the country directly from the experts – the grassroots leaders.

“I'm very excited to be invited to the White House to have dialogue with White House officials and most importantly with community leaders throughout Florida,” Soto said. “Although, many are looking forward to meeting President Obama, I look forward to learning more about the issues from the communities that have not been heard in popular political conversation. I don't believe government should solve all of our problems, but the government should at least understand them, and the invitation to participate in the White House Florida Community Leaders Briefing will make that conversation possible.”

Participants are local leaders who are currently involved in their cities and towns at the grassroots level – in their neighborhoods, schools, churches, non-profit organizations, environmental groups, activist and advocacy groups, etc. and who are continuously invested in improving their own communities.

The White House is looking for those that can bring their successes, challenges, and ideas directly to the White House to help improve the conversation between the grassroots and Washington.

Four Rattlers selected for 2011 HBCU All-Star Bowl

Four Rattlers have been selected to compete in the 3rd Annual HBCU All-Star Bowl. Kevin Elliott, Branden Curry, D.J. Folsom and Jerry Willis (pictured) have been invited to participate in the game on Sunday, December 18 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The HBCU All-Star Bowl selects the top 100 draft-eligible players from the major HBCU Conferences: the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC and CIAA. While the All-Star Game is the highlight for fans, the players benefit from the HBCU Official Combine administered by National Football Scouting, the same organization that coordinates the NFL Combine. At both of the previous bowls, every NFL team was present. A number of Canadian Football League and Arena Football League scouts also attended.

In addition to the combine, players will engage in activities such as hospital visits, a life skills session, a financial advisement seminar, and weekend entertainment events.

FAMU Head Coach Joe Taylor guided the East squad to victories in the first two HBCU All-Star Bowls. In 2009, the inaugural event was held in Montgomery, Alabama at the Crampton Bowl. FAMU's Leroy Vann was the MVP of the game, returning a punt for an 81-yard run and a touchdown.

In last year's contest, the event took place in the Georgia Dome. Taylor and his staff took home the victory with a 24-16 win. FAMU's Kendrick Washington recovered a fumble late in the game and ran 20 yards for a TD.

FAMU to pipeline students into FAU's med school

FAMU has inked a new affiliation agreement that will pipeline talented Rattler students into the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).

This innovative initiative, named the Medical Honors Program (MHP), will help FAMU recruit high school seniors who are dedicated to becoming physicians. When the students enroll at FAMU for their baccalaureate education, they will automatically receive a conditional offer of acceptance to FAU’s College of Medicine. The students will have to successfully complete the MHP and satisfy the requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) and FAU’s College of Medicine.

“We are very pleased to be working jointly with FAMU on the Medical Honors Program, which is distinguished by the strength of both our institutions,” FAU President Mary Jane Saunders said. “We will be able to offer aspiring doctors who excel academically with a competitive program that ensures a seamless route from undergraduate study to medical school.”

FAMU celebrates Bright Futures Scholars

FAMU held an ice cream social and press conference in the Quadrangle to celebrate its Florida Bright Futures Scholars. President James H. Ammons and Rep. Alan Williams (D-Tallahassee) were among the featured speakers.

The university recognized a number of its Bright Futures Scholarship recipients during the event, who wore Orange & Green “tie dye”-style tee shirts.

The Bright Futures Scholarship program was created in 1997 to encourage the state’s top performing high schoolers to attend college in Florida. It is funded by the Florida Lottery, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last week.

Former President Frederick S. Humphries strategically took advantage of Bright Futures to relieve strain on the FAMU recruitment budget. National Achievement Scholarship (NAS) finalists and semi-finalists from Florida automatically qualify for the Academic Scholarship, which formely paid 100 percent of tuition and fees.

When FAMU attracted those students, it didn’t have to pay a dime for their tuition and fees because the state picked up the tab. That meant that FAMU only had to cover the costs of room and board.

FAMU close to reaching goal of 15,000 students

Last year, Rattler Nation reported that FAMU was on track to reach 14,000 students by Summer 2011. It turns out that this blog’s prediction was a bit too conservative. FAMU actually surpassed the 14,000 student mark by more than 700, coming close to a total of 15,000.

FAMU finished the fiscal year ending (FYE) in 2011 with an unduplicated headcount of 14,702 students, an increase of 1,418 over Fall 2010.

Fall headcounts are generally lower than the year-end headcounts because some FAMU students do not register for classes every semester. Nontraditional students who balance school and fulltime work are part of this group.

The university’s Fall 2011 enrollment slightly dipped due to tighter admissions standards and new preparatory requirements for students admitted through the profile assessment process. President James H. Ammons told the Board of Trustees that FAMU rejected almost 2,000 applications. He said that the university plans to enroll more students in the Spring, including new community college transfers.

Robinson stepping down from NOAA, plans to return to academy

Larry Robinson, a national symbol of FAMU’s first rate faculty, is leaving U.S. President Barack Obama’s team to return to the academy.

On February 1, 2010, Rattler Nation broke the news that Obama had nominated Robinson to be the assistant secretary of commerce for conservation and management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him on May 6, 2010 and took his oath four days later on the steps of Lee Hall Auditorium.

Robinson’s resignation is effective November 18. NOAA released his announcement one day after it awarded FAMU a $15M grant, the largest in the university’s history. The money is an investment that aims to increase the pool of well-trained and highly qualified scientists and managers, particularly from under-represented minority groups, who will be available to work for NOAA and other resource management entities.

The NOAA press releases states that Robinson is “returning to academia to resume his work in academic administration and train the next generation of environmental scientists and leaders.” It does not mention whether or not he is coming back to FAMU. When Robinson’s appointment was announced last year, President James H. Ammons said that the door is open for Robinson to return to FAMU any time.

Rattlers kick their way to victory over A&T

FAMU won in dramatic fashion on Saturday night as Linebacker John Williams intercepted a North Carolina A&T pass in the end zone on the final play of the game to seal the 26-20 victory for the Rattlers.  The victory improved the Rattlers to 6-3 on the season (4-2 MEAC).

The Aggies drove from their own 7 to the Florida A&M 39 before Aggie QB Lewis Kindle's pass was intercepted as time expired.

The Rattlers  came from 13 points behind thanks to the foot of placekicker Trevor Scott, who connected on four field goals, two in the second half.  Scott was good from 40 yards in the third quarter and from 33 yards with 4:41 remaining in the game. Rattler QB Damien Fleming passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns for Florida A&M, which has won three in a row and are now tied for second place in the MEAC with BCU.

FAMU vs. NC A&T preview

KICK-OFF: Saturday, November 5, 2011, 6 p.m.

WHAT'S AT STAKE: FAMU and North Carolina A&T are both in the middle of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rankings with 3-2 records. A Saturday win will go a long way toward helping either team keep its title hopes alive.

Bethune-Cookman and Hampton are also 3-2. South Carolina State is 4-2. Norfolk State and Morgan State are 5-1 and 4-1, respectively.

THE SERIES HISTORY: This will be Rattlers and the Aggies' 58th meeting on the field of battle with FAMU leading the series 42-13-2. The first time these two teams met was during the 1938 season with FAMU winning 13-0 over N.C. A&T. FAMU has posted a 15-game win streak in the series from 1952 to 1967 with FAMU and N.C. A&T fighting to a 7-7 draw in 1951. The Aggies would snap the 15-game win streak with a 9-6 over the Rattlers in 1968 season.

RATTLERS RANKED NATIONALLY: FAMU's leads the Football Championship Subdivision and Football Bowl Subdivision in passes intercepted (18). Jerral Stewart and John Ojo are tied for eighth in FCS for interceptions; Terry Johnson ranks 23 in FCS in interceptions. Lavante Page ranks 10 in FCS in scoring.

Florida Classic anticipating one millionth fan

Over its 14-year history, the Florida Classic has drawn 936,801 fans to the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando. If the game brings another 63,199 spectators on November 19, its total attendance will surpass the one million mark.

"Since 1997, FAMU, B-CU and the City of Orlando have truly built something special together," said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan told the Orlando Sentinel. "The Classic weekend is one of the great rivalry experiences in college athletics and this year's game could see fan number 1,000,000 walk through the gates – yet another milestone to celebrate in a series already rich in tradition."

The one millionth fan to attend the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSFL) Classic in Orlando will receive: an automatic ticket upgrade for two in the Uprights Club at this year's game, two free tickets to the BCBSFL Classic for life, a BCBSFL Classic merchandise prize pack.

No special entry process is required for the appreciation package. Staffers will be positioned at each Citrus Bowl gate, ready to pull the lucky fan out of the crowd.

Lyceum to present Munich Symphony Orchestra

FAMU's Lyceum Series will present the Munich Symphony Orchestra featuring Maestro Philippe Entremont, Saturday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall Auditorium.

The Munich Symphony Orchestra is one of Munich’s four symphony orchestras. It was founded in 1945 as “Symphonieorchester Kurt Graunke” and – with its four subscription series in Prinzregententheater, Herkulessaal and the Philharmonie am Gasteig – is regarded as one of the high-profile ensembles of the city of Munich.

For more than 10 years, the Munich Symphony has been a cooperative partner to the opera festival at Gut Immling in Chiemgau with two major opera productions each summer. Attractive productions of film scores (for example, a live concert of the score of “The Lord of the Rings”) and show productions (Roncalli’s “Circus Meets Classic”) add to the profile of the Munich Symphony Orchestra.

The exceptional career of Entremont began at the age of 18 when he came to international attention with his great success at New York’s Carnegie Hall playing Jolivet’s piano concerto and Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Since then, he has pursued a top international career as a pianist, and for the last 30 years, on the podium as well.

FAMU still nowhere close to legislature’s inflated tuition projections

Once again, FAMU came nowhere close to the Florida Legislature’s inflated tuition and fee projections for the fiscal year ending (FYE) 2010.

The legislature projected that FAMU would generate $57,171,795 in tuition and fees for FYE 2010. FAMU actually collected $11,075,289 less than that figure for a total of $46,096,506.

Each year, the legislature bases its tuition and fee projections on the bogus assumption that every university student will take a full course load.

Even though the legislature continues to use projections that are out-of-touch with reality, FAMU has had the highest lower division course load average among the ten traditional State University System (SUS) schools for the past three years. FAMU’s freshmen and sophomores averaged 14.0 credit hours in Fall 2008, 14.0 in Fall 2009, and 13.9 in Fall 2010.

Currently, the only SUS institution that is beating FAMU’s lower division course load average is New College of Florida. It is a non-traditional liberal arts college that provides individualized written evaluations instead of letter grades. NCF also has the lowest tuition in the entire SUS.

FAMU's net increase in overall tuition and fee collections is down from the previous fiscal year. The university had a net gain of $834,344 in FYE 2010. FAMU’s net gain was $5,825,368 in FYE 2009.

Legislative tuition/fee projections:
2010: $57,171,795
2009: $52,778,244
2008: $52,367,797
2007: $56,427,269

FAMU’s tuition/fee collections:
2010: $46,096,506
2009: $45,262,162
2008: $39,436,794
2007: $39,255,167

The legislature estimates that FAMU will make $59,607,188 in tuition and fees during FYE 2011 and $64,091,635 during FYE 2012.

Source: FAMU Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) reports.

FAMU professor publishes book examining AIDS epidemic in the South

FAMU Professor Andrew Skerritt will host a reception and book signing in the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication (SJGC) Gallery on Tuesday, November 1 at 5:30 p.m. for his book, Ashamed to Die: Silence, Denial, and the AIDS Epidemic in the South.

The book deals with the ongoing complexities of battling the virus in America, despite the spread of AIDS awareness and medical breakthroughs of the past 30 years.

Skerritt, a professor in SJGC, is a longtime journalist who has contributed to publications all over the country including the St. Petersburg Times, Asbury Park Press, Journal (N.Y.) News, Charlotte Observer, Rock Hill Herald, Rochester Democrat, Tallahassee Democrat and theRoot.com.

Focusing on the African-American Pegram family in Clover, S.C., the book documents how one woman—Tricia Ann, a sister, aunt, wife, mother and pastor—cares for Carolyn, her drug-addicted and AIDS-infected sister, and Carolyn’s young son. Relying on her faith, Tricia Ann enters into a fight to save others dying of AIDS in her rural Southern neighborhood, but often ends up presiding over funerals instead—funerals where the cause of death is rarely admitted.

Skerritt traces the impoverished family’s history and depicts how taboos about love, race and sexuality—combined with Southern conservatism, white privilege and black oppression—continue to create an unacceptable death toll into the 21st century.

A native of London, England, Skerritt grew up on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University and a master of liberal arts degree from Winthrop University. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and National Association of Caribbean-American Journalists.