Latest news with #HumanJukebox
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU students win Emmy award for band documentary
HBCU excellence has struck gold-literally. A group of Southern University students has made history by winning a prestigious Emmy Award for their documentary The Hidden Sport, which celebrates the legendary Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band. The Emmy was awarded at the 45th Annual Sports Emmy Awards in New York City, where students Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White-collectively known as 'The Dream Team'-were recognized for their work. Their short film highlights the intense physicality, precision, and passion required to be a part of the Human Jukebox, reframing the band not just as halftime entertainment, but as athletes in their own right. Produced through a national $40,000 HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, The Hidden Sport pushes the boundaries of how we define athleticism. With powerful interviews, dynamic visuals, and a culturally resonant narrative, the film shows that marching band demands the same grit, endurance, and discipline as any sport. The Emmy win is a milestone for HBCU students and a powerful reminder of the cultural force that is the Human Jukebox. The students plan to use part of the grant funds to support scholarships and enhance resources for the Human Jukebox Media Team, continuing the cycle of excellence and legacy at Southern University. Congratulations to Southern University, the Human Jukebox, and the Emmy-winning student filmmakers for proving that when it comes to telling our stories, HBCUs continue to lead the way. The post HBCU students win Emmy award for band documentary appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
BBC News
08-03-2025
- BBC News
Man charged with manslaughter after Louisiana student hazing death
A man has been charged in connection with the death of a Louisiana college student who collapsed after being repeatedly punched in the chest during a hazing ritual, police said Caleb McCray, 23, a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, allegedly punched Caleb Wilson multiple times during the off-campus initiation ceremony. He was charged with criminal hazing and manslaughter. Mr Wilson was a 20-year-old college band member and mechanical engineering student at Southern University and A&M, Baton Rouge, suspect's lawyer told CBS News his client deserved due process and asked the public "to withhold rushing to judgment until all the evidence is heard". Hazing, which is illegal in most US states, is a tradition where people pledge their loyalty by doing something painful, humiliating or at a news conference, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr stated that Mr Wilson's death on 27 February was a "direct result" of the hazing to police, a group of individuals dropped Mr Wilson off at a hospital and allegedly lied to the staff, saying he had collapsed while playing basketball. They left before authorities detectives later determined that information to be inaccurate.A police arrest report reviewed by US media outlets states that Mr Wilson and eight others pledging the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity were struck by Mr McCray and at least two others wearing boxing McCray allegedly hit Mr Wilson four times in the chest, after which he collapsed, suffered a seizure, and lost control of his bodily functions, the the arrest warrant affidavit one present attempted to call for emergency assistance, police said. Mr Wilson was later pronounced dead at the autopsy found no significant trauma to his body, aside from a small bruise on the right side of his chest, according to the also noted that investigators found no indication that Mr McCray intended to "cause death or great bodily harm to any of the pledges".Mr McCray, a member of Omega Psi Phi and a Louisiana Army National Guard member, reportedly graduated from Southern University in December 2024, according to ABC Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore said two additional people, who have not been publicly identified, will be charged with misdemeanour investigation is ongoing and remains University System President Dennis Shields expressed deep sorrow over Mr Wilson's death."Words cannot express how deeply saddened we are by the loss of our student, Caleb Wilson," he Shields said the campus chapter of Omega Psi Phi has been ordered to suspend all activities. Students involved in the incident could face all Greek organisations at the university— a historically black college— have been barred from accepting new members for the remainder of the academic Wilson's passing has sparked widespread Human Jukebox Marching Band, which recently performed at the Super Bowl, honoured him in a Facebook post:"A talented trumpet player, a dedicated student, and a bright soul, Caleb was a mechanical engineering major who poured his passion into both his studies and his time with the Human Jukebox. His energy, spirit, and impact on those around him will never be forgotten."Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil outside Southern University's Smith-Brown Student friend, speaking of Mr Wilson, told local media outlet WAFB: "His light does not die with himself. It dies with all of us. We have to make sure his light lives within all of us and make sure you stand up tall like he's on your shoulders reaching for the sky."The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity released a statement offering condolences and supporting law enforcement's efforts "to seek the truth".Under Louisiana state law, if a person dies or is seriously injured during a hazing ritual, it can be prosecuted as a criminal offence under the Max Gruver Act. Max Gruver was a Louisiana State University who died of alcohol poisoning after hazing in prosecuted can face up to a $10,000 (£7,745) fine and five years in prison. Organisations and educational institutions can also face penalties under the act.
CBS News
06-03-2025
- CBS News
Louisiana college student's death being investigated as possible act of fraternity hazing
The death of a 20-year-old Southern University student in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is being investigated by local law enforcement as a possible act of fraternity hazing, school authorities confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Caleb Wilson, who died on Feb. 27, was a mechanical engineering junior at Southern University and A&M College and a member of the school's famed marching band. Chancellor John K. Pierre said in a statement shared on the college's Facebook page that "an off-campus incident is believed to have contributed to Caleb's death." A university spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that an alleged fraternity ritual, involving Omega Psi Phi, is being investigated. Ricky L. Lewis, the international president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., said in a written statement issued on Friday that the organization is aware that authorities have "launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth." "We recognize that many of you may have questions, and we are actively working to gather accurate information," Lewis said. It was unclear if Wilson was a fraternity member. Additional details, including Wilson's cause of death, were not yet available. Police in Baton Rouge have not commented on the investigation. Wilson's family described him as an "extraordinary person" and a "bright and talented young man with a promising future ahead of him" in a statement provided to CBS affiliate WAFB. "We are committed to seeking the truth about the circumstances surrounding Caleb's passing and ensuring that no other family has to endure such a tragedy," the family said. Wilson was a trumpet player with the marching band, known as the "Human Jukebox," which recently played at the Super Bowl. In a statement on the band's Facebook page, Wilson was described as a talented, dedicated and bright soul who "poured his passion" into his studies and music. "A talented trumpet player, a dedicated student, and a bright soul, Caleb was a mechanical engineering major who poured his passion into both his studies and his time with the Human Jukebox," the post read. "His energy, spirit, and impact on those around him will never be forgotten." During the band's performance at one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras parades over the weekend, members played Stevie Wonder's "Love Light in Flight" in honor of Wilson. "This was more than just a performance, it was a tribute, a farewell and promise that Caleb's legacy will live on," the band posted on Facebook along with a video of the performance. A vigil celebrating Wilson was held on Wednesday evening. Wilson's family and friends addressed the crowd. "His light does not die with himself. It dies with all of us. We have to make sure his light lives within all of us and make sure you stand up tall like he's on your shoulders reaching for the sky," said one friend, according to WAFB. Following Wilson's death, the historically Black university indefinitely halted all club recruiting activities, including those related to Greek life. On Tuesday, the university announced its own internal investigation and student judiciary process into the "alleged hazing incident." The university statement said that any organization on campus that breaches anti-hazing polices will face "prompt disciplinary sanctions." Southern University requires clubs and organizations to undergo anti-hazing training. In 2018, following the death of Max Gruver — a Louisiana State University student who died of alcohol poisoning after a hazing ritual at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house — then-Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into state several law anti-hazing laws meant to curb hazing and increase penalties.
CBS News
06-03-2025
- CBS News
Louisiana college student's death investigated as possible act of fraternity hazing
The death of a 20-year-old Southern University student in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is being investigated by local law enforcement as a possible act of fraternity hazing, school authorities confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Caleb Wilson, who died on Feb. 27, was a mechanical engineering junior at Southern University and A&M College and a member of the school's famed marching band. Chancellor John K. Pierre said in a statement shared on the college's Facebook page that "an off-campus incident is believed to have contributed to Caleb's death." A university spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that an alleged fraternity ritual, involving Omega Psi Phi, is being investigated. Ricky L. Lewis, the international president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., said in a written statement issued on Friday that the organization is aware that authorities have "launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth." "We recognize that many of you may have questions, and we are actively working to gather accurate information," Lewis said. It was unclear if Wilson was a fraternity member. Additional details, including Wilson's cause of death, were not yet available. Police in Baton Rouge have not commented on the investigation. Wilson's family described him as an "extraordinary person" and a "bright and talented young man with a promising future ahead of him" in a statement provided to CBS affiliate WAFB. "We are committed to seeking the truth about the circumstances surrounding Caleb's passing and ensuring that no other family has to endure such a tragedy," the family said. Wilson was a trumpet player with the marching band, known as the "Human Jukebox," which recently played at the Super Bowl. In a statement on the band's Facebook page, Wilson was described as a talented, dedicated and bright soul who "poured his passion" into his studies and music. "A talented trumpet player, a dedicated student, and a bright soul, Caleb was a mechanical engineering major who poured his passion into both his studies and his time with the Human Jukebox," the post read. "His energy, spirit, and impact on those around him will never be forgotten." During the band's performance at one of New Orleans' Mardi Gras parades over the weekend, members played Stevie Wonder's "Love Light in Flight" in honor of Wilson. "This was more than just a performance, it was a tribute, a farewell and promise that Caleb's legacy will live on," the band posted on Facebook along with a video of the performance. A vigil celebrating Wilson was held on Wednesday evening. Wilson's family and friends addressed the crowd. "His light does not die with himself. It dies with all of us. We have to make sure his light lives within all of us and make sure you stand up tall like he's on your shoulders reaching for the sky," said one friend, according to WAFB. Following Wilson's death, the historically Black university indefinitely halted all club recruiting activities, including those related to Greek life. On Tuesday, the university announced its own internal investigation and student judiciary process into the "alleged hazing incident." The university statement said that any organization on campus that breaches anti-hazing polices will face "prompt disciplinary sanctions." Southern University requires clubs and organizations to undergo anti-hazing training. In 2018, following the death of Max Gruver — a Louisiana State University student who died of alcohol poisoning after a hazing ritual at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house — then-Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into state several law anti-hazing laws meant to curb hazing and increase penalties.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Southern University Frat Members Reportedly Lied About Where Pledge's Death Took Place
Additional details have emerged regarding the death of Caleb Wilson, a Southern University student who died last week during a 'fraternity ritual.' WAFB reports a source close to the situation said fraternity members initially fabricated important facts about what happened that night. On Feb. 27, Wilson collapsed after being punched in the chest during an alleged ritual for Omega Psi Phi as a pledge. He was transported to Baton Rouge General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Originally, the fraternity members reported the situation took place off campus at a park. However, the source stated to WAFB that the ritual took place at a warehouse and none of the members were ever at the park that night. They allegedly 'gathered at an undisclosed location to discuss the events of the evening,' where they created the story that Wilson collapsed at the park. An investigation was launched shortly after his confirmed death and is ongoing. Wilson was a junior at Southern University majoring in mechanical engineering. He was also a musician and a member of Human Jukebox, the school's marching band. His family has shared his talents took him to performances in Europe and Cuba, and he even has played alongside Trombone Shorty. 'The loss of Caleb has left an unimaginable void in our hearts, but your kindness and compassion have provided some solace,' the Wilson family said in a statement. 'Caleb was a bright and talented young man with a promising future ahead of him. His passion for life, his dedication to his studies, and his love for music and the Southern University 'Human Jukebox' Marching Band were just a few of the many qualities that made him an extraordinary person.' The HBCU also issued a statement at the time of his death, writing, 'Southern University and A&M College is aware of an off-campus incident that may have resulted in the death of student Caleb Wilson, a junior from New Orleans majoring in mechanical engineering. The campus community extends condolences to his family, classmates, and loved ones.' More from Tory Lanez Reveals Title, Cover Art, And Release Date For New Album Recorded In Prison Rep. Jasmine Crockett Calls Trump "Psychotic" Over Greenland Plans: "This Is A Terrible Nightmare" Police Identify Suspect In G$ Lil Ronnie And Daughter's Murder Case
