( CNN ) -- Florida A & M University said Thursday that its famed Marching 100 band will return to the field for the first time since its suspension after the hazing death of a drum major nearly two years ago . The band had been one of the top university marching bands in the United States , but Robert Champion 's death and other reports of hazing damaged its reputation . `` We have made a thorough assessment of the students who have auditioned for the band and firmly believe that we are ready to return and positively represent Florida A & M University and its proud students , faculty , alumni and community , '' Sylvester Young , director of marching and pep bands , said in a statement . 'Enough is enough ' : Roommate sentenced in band member 's death . `` We embark on this season reflective of the circumstances that led to the band 's suspension and are optimistic that this is a new day for the band and the university . Our goal is to support the mission of the university and use this program to recruit top scholars and elevate the stature of the university , '' he added . The band will perform during the halftime show at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented in Orlando , Florida , on September 1 , and at other games during the football season . Trayvon Martin 's father honored as FAMU band captain . The university stressed in the statement that positive steps have been taken since Champion 's death . It created an anti-hazing plan that includes a revised student code of conduct , a new anti-hazing website , scheduled campus training and beefed-up procedures for reporting and investigating hazing allegations . Champion was beaten on a bus after a November 2011 football game in Orlando , as part of a band hazing ritual . The 26-year-old died `` within an hour '' of the beating , medical examiners reported . The Marching 100 was suspended shortly after his death .
Drum major Robert Champion died after being beaten in a hazing incident . The university said it was investigating the incident. It will perform in September in Orlando , and at other games during the season .