Anti-Hazing Strategies for Coaches and Administrators
By Brian Crow, Robin Ammon, Jr. and Dennis R. Phillips
Introduction
Despite recent public attention and nationwide media coverage, hazing by members of sport teams in high schools and colleges continues at an alarming rate. Coaches and administrators who naively think hazing does not occur (or worse, overlook team initiations) are often surprised when a hazing problem is uncovered in their program. Hazing is defined as "any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers, regardless of the person's willingness to participate" (Hoover, 1999). The first reported hazing incident occurred at Hobart College in 1923. A freshmen football player was beaten and then thrown into a lake by two senior players, who subsequently were expelled from the college (Sussberg, 2003). Historically these incidents have been relatively minor ranging from making rookies carry equipment to having them sing the alma mater in public. These activities are often encouraged as a form of team building, when in reality they can lead to more deviant and potentially harmful acts of hazing. Researchers at Alfred University have found that allowing seemingly innocent forms of rookie initiation unintentionally encourages more severe forms of initiation (Schuster, Morris & Molinet, 2003).
Head football coach Dave Falco of Sachem, NY, when discussing his team's pre-season training camp, said, "There's no hazing at all. No singing songs, no push-ups, no carrying water or equipment, nothing. It always starts with the little things" (Sarra & Molinet, 2003). More coaches should be aware of this underlying endorsement, and prevent any and all types of humiliating or demeaning behavior.
Recent Hazing Incidents
It has been hypothesized that most sport hazing incidents go unreported (Rosner & Crow, 2002), while only the most egregious receive national attention. Several recently reported cases illustrate the seriousness of hazing at both the high school and college levels. In Bellmore, NY, three veteran football players were suspended and the football season cancelled because of injuries allegedly sustained by three younger players during a hazing ritual at the team's pre-season training camp (Sarra 8. Molinet, 2003). In fall 2002, the football team at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh was forced by the Catholic Diocese to forfeit their regional playoff game in light of a hazing incident (White Stack, 2003). The school has since adopted a new anti-hazing policy (Pitz, 2003).
In one incident reported worldwide, high school senior girls forced female juniors trying out for the Powder Puff football squad at Northbrook High School near Chicago to wallow in mud and kneel while being beaten and having feces and other filthy materials dumped on them (Channick, 2003). Various disciplinary actions were taken by the school district including suspension, expulsion, and withholding of graduation diplomas. Several lawsuits are pending. To date at least one adult has been convicted of providing alcohol to minors in connection with this incident, and sentenced to a years probation and 14 days of community service (Associated Press, 2003).
In one of the most outrageous cases of sport hazing reported in recent years, members of the University of Vermont hockey team had their season suspended after
attempting to cover up an appalling hazing ritual (Crow 8. Rosner, 2002). Freshmen hockey players were forced, among other things, to perform push-ups naked while dipping their genitals into cups of warm beer, with the number of push-ups determining whether they would drink their own beer or someone else's. They also were forced to hold each other's genitals in an "elephant walk" (Crow 8, Rosner, 2002).
Legal Implications for Administrators and Coaches
More and more students face criminal charges for hazing (Rosner 8. Crow, 2002). Forty-three states currently have some form of anti-hazing statute; yet these vary greatly in terms of defining hazing, penalties imposed, and enforcement. Coaches and administrators must make their athletes aware of the potential criminal charges they could face if involved in hazing or initiation activities. What happens to the coaches and administrators of the teams involved? Oftentimes they face civil lawsuits, generally but not exclusively based on the lack of adequate and proper supervision. Other types of negligence lawsuits can fall under the doctrine of in loco parentis (in place of the parents), which establishes a reasonable standard of care for school personnel responsible for the welfare of students (Rosner & Crow, 2002). State courts have not established a clear precedent in deciding sport hazing cases. Most experts recommend that coaches, administrators, and school supervisory personnel consult with an attorney to fully understand and comprehend the implications of hazing in their state.
Anti-Hazing Strategies
Several effective anti-hazing strategies have been developed in light of the increased number of reported hazing incidents. It is imperative for coaches and administrators to not only develop an anti-hazing policy that is continually communicated to all athletes, but to also strictly enforce the proscribed consequences when any hazing incident occurs. The following is a general format to follow when implementing an anti-hazing program in your athletic program:
1) Perform a complete review of the sport program to determine the scope of hazing and other initiation activities
a. Interview current and former players about hazing. Allow them to discreetly write about their experiences (Smith, 2003).
b. Develop an exit-interview document for use when athletes leave a team and at the end of each season.
c. Continually communicate to parents the seriousness of hazing and its consequences.
2) Develop and require mandatory attendance at an anti-hazing presentation during pre-season, within the season, and after each season
d. Address hazing individually, not in combination with any other message, such as drug use or gambling.
e. Include parents and community members.
f. Bring in an outside expert to add credibility and answer questions.
3) Establish a written anti-hazing document that includes the following:
g. A clear and concise definition of prohibited hazing and other initiation activities.
h. Clearly defined consequences, including suspension or dismissal from the team, cancellation of the season, and potential criminal prosecution.
i. Share the anti-hazing document with student-
athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators.
j. List the written policy in team handbooks and athletic department manuals, and hang posters of the policy in visible places such as locker rooms and on bulletin boards.
k. Have athletes and coaches sign a "participation agreement" that includes a clause that states no initiation or hazing activities are permitted - even seemingly benign activities like making rookies carry equipment or sing the alma mater.
4) Establish and enforce preventative measures
l. Have adult supervision in locker rooms at all times and keep the area locked when adults are not present.
m. Limit or eliminate pre-season, off-site training camps.
n. Separate varsity and junior varsity players during locker room time.
o. Establish and maintain an open line of communication between athletes, coaches, and administrators.
p. Involve the community in anti-hazing workshops and other activities.
5) If a hazing incident occurs:
q. Recognize its seriousness, address it publicly, and act swiftly to remedy the situation appropriately.
r. Investigate thoroughly.
s. Punish accordingly, keeping in mind the strong message sent by a significant punishment.
Conclusion
Interscholastic and intercollegiate sports are intended for the participant's enjoyment and self-satisfaction. Each sport has
inherent risks that may create a dangerous environment for the athlete. Coaches and administrators have a responsibility to warn their athletes of the sport's inherent risks while providing proper instruction and sufficient supervision. While most athletes are willing to assume the inherent risk involved in sport, few are willing to submit themselves to mental and/or physical humiliation, degradation or physical punishment relative to hazing. In addition, on the surface, few of the coaches and administrators would admit to condoning this type of outlandish behavior. However, the results of the Alfred University study on hazing in NCAA athletics found an astounding 80% had been subjected to some form of hazing (Sussberg, 2003).
While the anti-hazing strategies presented above are no guarantee that the wide spread epidemic of hazing will end, they may help coaches and administrators address and eliminate hazing in their own sport settings. As described earlier, each athletic administrator should consult with his or her school's legal counsel for help in developing an anti-hazing program that is right for the particular school system. Creating an environment in which hazing, bullying, and other forms of intimidation cannot thrive is the best way to ensure the safety and welfare of student-athletes.
References
Associated Press. (2003, Sept 27). Mom pleads guilty to providing booze to teenagers in high school hazing. Courier News Online. From www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/city/ e27hazing.htm.
Channick, R. (2003, September 20). Hazing task force offers answers. Chicago Tribune. From www.chicagotribune/news/local/chi-0309200171sep20,0,5088471.story?coll=chi-news-hed.
Crow, B. &. Rosner, S. (Winter 2002). Institutional and organizational liability for hazing in intercollegiate and professional team sports. St. John's Law Review, 76(1), 87-114.
Hoover, N. (1999). Hazing and Initiation Rites. Retrieved Sep. 29, 2003, from www.alfred.edu/news/html/hazing_study.htmi.
Pitz, M. (2003, Feb 1). New Central Catholic policy bars hazing. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. From www.post-gazette.com/neigh_city/20030201centralcathcity2p2.asp.
Rosner, S. 8. Crow, B. (Summer 2002). Institutional liability for hazing in interscholastic sports. Houston Law Review, 39(2), 276-300.
Sarra, G. 8. Molinet, 1. (2003, Sept 21). Prevention matter of policy, districts guard against hazing with education and strict rules. New York Newsday, p. B03.
Schuster, K, Moms, K, & Molinet, J. A legacy of painful secrets. (2003, Sept 18). New York Newsday [Nassua and Suffolk], p. A03.
Smith, L. (2003, June/July). Hazing hits home. Athletic Management, 15(4),41-47.
State anti-hazing laws. Retrieved Sep. 30, 2003, www.stophazing.org/laws.
Sussberg, J. A. (2003, March). Shattered dreams: Hazing in college athletics. Yeshiva University Cardoza Law Review. Retrieved September 27, 2003 from http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?m=0cccb4c9c3bf6f68390d4d2f76ff9a61&_docnum =1&wchp=dGLbVtz-zSkVA&_md5=8c2ecb794077f0e754cdf8baaa8122d9
Thomas, J. (2003, Aug 14). Purple hazing is a rite for Rams. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p. D 1.
White Stack, B. (2003, Feb 15). Central Catholic hazing case ends in probation. Pittsburgh Post: Gazette. Retrieved September 28, 2003 from http://www.post-gazette.com/localnews20030205 central0205p4.asp.
R. Brian Crow and Robin Ammon are educators at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rods PA. Dennis Phillips is an educator at University of South Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS.
This article illustrates one of the key areas of Domain 1: Philosophy and Ethics, of the National Standards for Sport Coaches
_________________________________________________________
| Title: |
Anti-Hazing Strategies for Coaches and Administrators |
| Author: |
Crow, Brian, Ammon Jr., Robin, Phillips, Dennis R. |
| Source: |
Strategies (Reston, Va.) |
| Publisher: |
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance |
| Volume (Issue): |
17(4) |
| Date: |
Mar/Apr 2004 |
| Pages: |
13-15 |
| SIRC Article #: |
S-971855 |
This material has been copied under license from the Publisher. Any resale for profit or further copying is strictly prohibited.
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