Robert Champion, a student at Florida A&M University and drum major in the famed Marching 100, passed away suddenly in November 2011. His mother, Pam Champion, was shocked to learn that her son had not simply collapsed and died, but had actually been murdered. An investigation revealed that Champion died from blunt force trauma sustained during a brutal hazing ritual known as “crossing over.” Champion was portrayed as a kind-hearted and talented young man, passionate about music and performing. Despite the brutality he faced, his family found it hard to believe that he had willingly consented to such violence.
Pam Champion recounted the difficult journey she went through to uncover the truth about her son’s death. She had to fight to get information from the school and the authorities, who seemed reluctant to provide details about what had happened. Champion’s death shed light on the pervasive culture of hazing within the university band, despite previous incidents and injuries related to hazing activities. The case ultimately led to charges brought against 15 former band members, with the alleged ringleader being sentenced to prison and others facing community service and probation.
The culture of hazing within the Florida A&M University band was deeply ingrained, with rituals like “crossing over” and “the hot seat” being known to band members. Despite pledges signed by members promising not to participate in hazing, initiations continued to take place, leading to devastating consequences in Champion’s case. The lack of internal controls to prevent or detect hazing at the university was highlighted in a report following the incident, leading to calls for stricter laws and increased awareness about the dangers of hazing and bullying.
Pam Champion has since become an advocate against hazing and bullying, co-founding the Be A Champion foundation to raise awareness and work towards preventing such incidents in the future. She hopes to honor her son’s memory by speaking out against violence and ensuring that other families do not have to endure the pain and loss that she experienced. Through sharing her story and participating in documentaries like “Murder Under the Friday Night Lights,” Pam aims to bring attention to the issue of hazing and empower students to speak out against it.
The tragic death of Robert Champion exposed the dark underbelly of hazing culture within college and high school bands, prompting calls for accountability and change within educational institutions. The impact of Champion’s death reverberated beyond his family, leading to resignations and reforms within the university administration. Pam Champion’s relentless pursuit of justice for her son serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of hazing and the need for collective action to prevent future tragedies.
As the documentary “Murder Under the Friday Night Lights” delves into the case of Robert Champion, it highlights the complexities of his story and the systemic issues that allowed for such a tragedy to occur. Through her advocacy work and foundation, Pam Champion continues to fight against hazing and bullying, striving to create a safer and more inclusive environment for students. The legacy of Robert Champion lives on through her efforts to raise awareness, seek justice, and ensure that his story serves as a catalyst for change in addressing the dangers of hazing culture.
