FAMU student dies after game

FAMU band member dies on bus

Orange County deputies told Local 6 they found a 27-year-old Florida A & M student unresponsive on a bus at 9:46 p.m. Saturday.

Deputies said 27-year-old Robert Champion was on the bus in the parking lot of the Rosen Center Hotel at 9700 International Drive.

Champion reportedly vomited in the parking lot and said he was having difficulty  breathing, deputies said.

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Fellow students started CPR on Champion before he taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss," said FAMU President James H. Ammons. "Our hearts and our prayers go out to Mr. Champion's family. This is a major loss for our Champion, a music major from Atlanta, served as one of six drum majors for the 375-member Marching "100" band who traveled to Orlando this weekend for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Classic. A drum major since spring 2010, Champion had performed in the Classic's half-time show earlier in the day.??


"We are in shock," said FAMU Band Director Julian White. "He was a very fine drum major who was of excellent character and very trustworthy. I had not told him yet, but he was slated to be the head drum major next year."??

White met with band members early Sunday morning to inform them of Champion's death.

The university is preparing to provide grief counseling for band members and other students through the University Counseling Center.

Stay with Local 6 for more on this story.


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