FAMU marching band will be absent at Atlanta Football Classic - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

The Georgia Dome will play host to the deep-rooted rivalry between Florida A&M University and Southern University this Saturday, but fans will see a noticeable absence on the field.

The Florida A&M's Marching 100 won't be at the 24th annual Bank of America Football Classic. The band was suspended following the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.

The former DeKalb County student died after band members beat him during that alleged hazing ritual last fall. His parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university.

Nearly 60,000 people filled the Georgia Dome for last year's game. Organizers won't say exactly how many tickets they've sold so far to this year's classic, but some think the absence of the marching band will have an impact on the crowd.

Florida A&M Rattlers head coach Joe Taylor shrugged off suggestions that attendance will be down at the game. Taylor says the fans will be well entertained.

"If they can hear any kind of music, they're going to be fine. And that's what they were concerned about our first ball games and we had one of largest crowds," said Taylor.

Supporters say it's still all about the football.    

"My team is here. We're involved. I mean the orange and green -- the orange is brighter and the green will be tighter," said Joe Bullard, a Tallahassee broadcaster who is known as the voice of the Marching 100.

Bullard has introduced the team at games since the 1970s.  Despite the controversy surrounding its suspension, he looks forward to the band's return.

"Just the absence of the band for now, knowing that they will be back -- that's that big day. And we're talking next year here in Atlanta," said Bullard.

Organizers have billed this year's half-time show as "Super Bowl-Style entertainment." It will feature rappers Future and Doug E. Fresh, plus the R&B stylings of Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan.