According to Young, the band will have fewer members than in
the past, as a result of the new, more rigorous guidelines for participation. A
news story by Tampa Bay Times reporter Tia Mitchell provided additional
details, explaining that “the Marching 100 currently has 126 members and likely
won't surpass 150 students this season. There were over 400 before the
suspension.”
Young emphasized that even though this year's band will be smaller than the one that marched in 2011, it
will remain equally dynamic and fully represent the great tradition of the late William P. Foster.
In June, FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson announced
that he would lift the suspension, but would leave it up to Young to determine
when the band was ready to perform. Young’s announcement today comes 21 months
after the band was suspended as a result of a hazing incident in Orlando.
“We fully support Dr. Young’s decision,” said Robinson. “As
the Marching “100” returns to the field, we believe that it will be a model of
excellence for other bands in the country as we focus on its founding
principles of character, academics, leadership, marching and service.”