Earlier this week the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) imposed a $5,000 fine against the FAMU Marching 100 for " violation of conference rules regarding bands and spirit groups during football contests."
The infraction occurred during the FAMU homecoming football contest against the Morgan State on Oct. 31 when the band greatly exceeded its permitted performance time during the halftime break. In addition to the fine, the FAMU Rattler football team was penalized 10 yards for delaying the start of the third quarter.
MEAC rules, clearly, indicate that "bands and other halftime activities that contribute to exceeding the allotted halftime performance times will be penalized as follows: 1st offense – $5,000; 2nd offense $10,000; and 3rd offense – Loss of half-time performance privileges for remainder of season."
According to a MEAC press release, "both coaches as well as the Florida A&M band director were reminded of the halftime policies, by the games' referee prior to the start of the game."
For homecoming the standard 20 minute halftime was extended an extra five minutes and University officials had moved all of the customary presentations to pre-game and between quarters to provide the 100rd with all the time they needed.
Band Director Julian White defended the bands actions in a conversation with the Tallahassee Democrat earlier this week offering the following explanation about how bands at historically black colleges and universities are viewed differently from bands at schools in, say, Florida State's Atlantic Coast Conference or Florida's Southeastern Conference.
"Bands are so much an intricate part of the show," White said. "Our games are sports and entertainment." Indeed, when FAMU plays its annual game against Bethune-Cookman University, fans afterward are just as likely to argue about which band "won" as they are to mourn a dropped touchdown pass.
Even after being asked by the referees to remove the band from the field the defiant 100rd stayed for an additional three-five minutes occupying the south end zone. The band even seemed to taunt game officials by bending over, on cue.
White acknowledged to the Tallahassee Democrat that his band was at fault and offered to pay the fine himself. He should.