Was there hazing among band members at Texas Southern University? That’s what an investigation into the “Ocean of Soul” will determine.
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One band member expressed how difficult it was to walk away from the stadium Thursday night. “It was really hard because i was ready,” the student musician said. ”We were going to be on ESPN in front of two million people plus.”
The 200 plus members of TSU’s “Ocean of Soul” marching band were simply told to put away their instruments and go home. It happened right before Texas Southern University faced off against Sam Houston State University.
He didn’t want to give his name and didn’t want to address the allegations, but this music and business major admits he just doesn’t know what to do.
“[The band] is a very big part of my life,” he added. “They just told us we have to wait off til they tell us further what to do.”
The entire marching band has been suspended indefinitely while TSU investigates an allegation of hazing in one section of the ocean of soul, reportedly the trumpets.
“The TSU police department is leading this investigation including conducting interviews with the band director, band staff and members of the band, ” said Eva Pickens, a university representative.
Many students agree that while no hazing should be allowed, the band will be missed.
Freshman Kailea Jordan doesn’t think the school is overreacting. “I think its really bad for us cause there is no homecoming parade for us and then the fact that we get to miss out on halftime entertainment, its really bad for us students,” she said. “If there is hazing it should be detected and taken out of the schools. I know most students were probably not a part of it. So it’s just sad that a lot of students have to suffer for other students’ mistakes.”
For the loud and lively group of musicians, they can only wait until the investigation is complete.
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Texas Southern Students, Band Member React To Hazing Allegations was originally published on news92fm.com
