Recommendations

Athletes, coaches and administrators believed that hazing prevention requires a clear anti-hazing message; an expectation of responsibility, integrity and civility; and structured initiation rites that build teams and encourage bonding.

Send a clear anti-hazing message:

• Develop a written anti-hazing policy for athletes with clear definitions and consequences.
• Educate the administration, coaching staff and athletes on the policy and definition.
• Develop a contract for student athletes regarding hazing and alcohol consumption.
• Establish a record of taking strong action against suspected and known cases of hazing.
• Immediately notify security or law enforcement of any suspected hazing incident.

Expect responsibility, integrity and civility:

• Discuss the meaning of the anti-hazing message with the president, student affairs officers, athletic department and athletes.
• Require coaches to screen recruits for behavioral and academic problems.
• Write a policy outlining coaches' and host students' behaviors for overnight recruitment visits.
• Require each coach to meet personally with each student host prior to recruitment visits.
• Make athletes' behavior on and off the field a part of each coach's evaluation.

Offer team-building initiation rites:

• Write a policy on the philosophy and goals of initiation rites in athletics.
• Train coaches and athletes on the importance of initiation rites and the ways to conduct them.
• Integrate initiation philosophy and goals into team goal-setting and problem-solving.
• Develop community events for the entire athletic department.
• Require organized initiation events for each team prior to each season.
• Recognize athletes as leaders in academic, personal, business and community arenas.
• Rely on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee to promote acceptable initiation rites.