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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has removed Gary Sousa as band director, five months after the band issued a statement detailing its "bitter battle" with the school's athletic department and complaining about reduced travel and budget cuts.
In a letter sent to Sousa on Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request, Tennessee provost and senior vice chancellor Susan Martin said the decision was effective March 31.
Martin's letter stated Sousa would remain a tenured professor. Sousa's salary drops from $155,000 to $105,000.
The school relieved Sousa of his duties as band director and placed him on administrative leave for the rest of the fall semester on Oct. 14, a week after the band's statement was released. Don Ryder was named interim director of bands at that point and will continue in that role.
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