$1.1 Million Settlement in Hazing Death of Decatur Man

The family of a Decatur man who died in a Florida A&M University band hazing ritual has reached a $1.1 million settlement with the school.

Robert Champion died in November 2011 after band members struck him with fists and mallets about a band bus in a hazing ritual, according to TampaBay.com.

Champion’s family sued the university, saying the school should have taken stronger measures to crack down on band hazing.

In the settlement announced Friday, FAMA will name the marching band’s antihazing program after Champion, and place a memorial to Champion in the school’s band room.

Of the $1.1 million, $800,000 will be paid by an insurance company and $300,000 will be paid by the state Department of Financial Services.

Champion’s parents agreed to drop the negligence lawsuit against the Tallahassee-based university. A trial had been scheduled to start next month.