Hazing in high school sports has been a persistent issue nationwide. Numerous incidents of hazing have resulted in suspensions and even criminal investigations, pushing schools to take precautions to protect student-athletes.
Hazing is the act of imposing humiliating and strenuous tasks on others as an initiation rite of passage. According to The Hazing Prevention Network, 48% of high school students who belong to groups experienced hazing.
As more hazing cases surface from all across the country, many schools are working to strengthen their policies and educate student-athletes on the dangers of this type of behavior.
Sports Illustrated recently published an article titled, “Michigan High School Wrestling Program Suspended For Hazing Incident” on November 14. This story covered Dundee High School’s wrestling team that has been sidelined due to an alleged hazing incident.
The article noted that, “Interviews with members of the wrestling team, coaches of the wrestling program and parents provided videotaped evidence of ‘additional incidents of hazing, fights and even physical assaults by wrestling team members against other wrestling team members.’”
This investigation is still ongoing, and there has been no information released about when it may conclude.
Although the situation in Dundee remains unresolved, it highlights the importance of taking precautions to prevent incidents like this, and hazing overall.
Starting this winter the Arizona Interscholastic Association is implementing a program concerning hazing. “The AIA wants all the Arizona schools to be aware of what’s been going on and what hazing is,” said athletic director Tui Selvaratnam.
This is intended to educate student athletes on what hazing truly is and the physical and mental consequences it can have on the individuals involved. The program will encourage teams to build a safer environment.
“We’ve been very fortunate,” said varsity basketball coach Jen Gillom. “We have students who are very responsible and don’t try to demean each other.”
Despite the fact that hazing isn’t a concern at Xavier, coaches remain careful. They develop preventative measures to keep athletes and teams safe.
“As a coach you have to make it very clear that hazing is something that will not happen in the program,” said varsity soccer coach Barb Chura. “You have to lead by example, through what you do and what you say.”
In the soccer teams, Xavier has “built a really good culture. We have a family-like atmosphere and everybody matters and everybody helps with everything we do,” Chura said.
In order to maintain this positive culture, coaches at Xavier discuss team expectations, stay up to date with their athletes and make sure athletes understand what hazing is and why it is not tolerated.
Such efforts should help Xavier align with the upcoming statewide effort to put an end to hazing in Arizona’s high schools.
Through spreading awareness, implementing programs to educate student athletes on hazing and building safer and more respectful athletic environments, schools nationwide can work to prevent hazing in high school sports.
