Unmasking the Dark Side: Shedding Light on the Impact of Hazing on US Student Athletes

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Hazing at US universities is causing serious problems, including million-dollar lawsuits, fostering toxic environments that enable harassment and sexual abuse, and leading to the suspension of college sport programs. These dangerous and occasionally deadly outcomes have put sports programs at American universities under increasing scrutiny.

In 2023, hazing allegations have been surfacing at Boston College, New Mexico State University, and Northwestern University, among other US institutions. With an increasing demand for a cultural shift within the student athlete community, it is crucial to understand the distressing connection between hazing and colleges in the US.

What is hazing?

Many college websites carry their own definitions of what constitutes hazing.

Hazing, as defined by the organization StopHazing, refers to any activity that subjects an individual to humiliation, degradation, abuse, or endangerment, regardless of their willingness to participate. Typically associated with Greek-letter groups, also known as fraternities and sororities, hazing encompasses various forms, including alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, physical and verbal mistreatment, and degrading sexual acts.

Northwestern football staff members sported t-shirts emblazoned with "Cats Against the World" along with the number 51, which represents former head coach Pat Fitzgerald's college jersey number. This occurred during a practice session on Wednesday, August 9.

Matt Zahn/Twitter

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Hazing is typically performed by senior students on younger college classmates who are seeking to join a team, organization, or society. This practice has a long history in educational institutions worldwide, including European universities and British public schools. According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), hazing refers to any action that is humiliating, intimidating, demeaning or poses a threat to the health and safety of individuals joining or maintaining membership in an organization.

How prevalent is it?

Engaging in hazing, whether actively or passively, is not dependent on one's willingness to participate in the activities. Hazing promotes an environment or climate that lacks dignity and respect.

In a 2018 survey conducted by the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, involving seven US universities, it was found that 42.7% of the respondents from varsity athletic teams had encountered instances of hazing. This percentage was higher compared to fraternities and sororities, where 38.3% of respondents reported experiencing hazing.

26% of respondents involved in clubs, teams, and organizations reported experiencing hazing, and 69.8% of students claimed to be aware of hazing on campus, according to the survey. The study found that the prevalent hazing practices among various student groups included activities involving excessive drinking, isolation, servile tasks, and humiliation.

On Monday, July 24, 2023, Lloyd Yates, a former Northwestern quarterback, addressed the media during a news conference held in Chicago. A hazing scandal involving multiple sports, both men and women, has been revealed, as stated by attorneys. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Nam Y. Huh/AP

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"Students identifying as male reported participating in more behaviors meeting the definition of hazing than their female peers."

What are its origins?

Hazing, a practice with ancient roots, dates back to Ancient Greece where Plato observed it among his students in fourth-century B.C. Athens. Throughout the Middle Ages, a system known as Pennalism involved tormenting first-year university students in European educational institutions. Hazing also took place in British public schools, with documented occurrences dating back to the 17th century.

Hazing has been a prevalent practice in US college fraternity campuses since the mid-19th century and continues to persist to this day. According to Nuwer's calculations, there has been at least one reported death related to hazing in a US school, club, or organization every year from 1959 to 2021, with the earliest recorded incident taking place in 1838.

The practice takes place in different settings around the world, including high schools, the military and workplaces, according to StopHazing.

Why has it become commonplace?

According to Nuwer, hazing is motivated by the desire for social cohesion and the formation of new friendships in an unfamiliar setting. He emphasized that the strong desire to fit in prompts individuals in charge of hazing to conform to questionable actions in order to maintain the existing social order.

Hazing practices can become locked in an ongoing cycle at universities as former victims eventually become perpetrators - a way of continuing what they see as tradition.

Recent examples

There has been significant aftermath after college sports teams faced allegations of hazing this year.

On September 20, Boston College declared that it had indefinitely suspended its men's and women's swimming and diving programs due to hazing. The college stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy towards hazing.

In July, Northwestern University fired long-time football coach Pat Fitzgerald following allegations of hazing within the schools football program.

Fitzgerald stands on the sidelines while the Northwestern Wildcats play the Ohio State Buckeyes in December 2018.

Joe Robbins/Getty Images/File

Fitzgerald, who served as the Wildcats' head coach for 17 seasons, expressed his disappointment upon learning about the alleged hazing, stating that he was unaware of the situation.

During that time, university president Michael Schill received numerous emails highlighting Fitzgerald's positive impact on current and former student athletes. However, Schill emphasized that the university has a duty to uphold its values and take responsibility for its actions.

The teams' culture falls under the ultimate responsibility of the head coach, as stated by Schill.

In the subsequent week, attorneys for a minimum of 15 former student athletes from Northwestern University disclosed their intentions to file a lawsuit against the university. The allegations state that the athletics department of the university fostered a "toxic culture" that allowed for harassment and sexual abuse to occur.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump stated that the ex-student athletes had revealed a culture built on physical intimidation, harassment, discrimination, and various forms of abuse - including mental and sexual - which had become a normalized pattern and practice.

In recent news, Ramon Diaz, an ex-offensive lineman at Northwestern University, declared his lawsuit against the school and Fitzgerald, accusing them of racism and hazing that occurred during his tenure on the team from 2005 to 2008.

Former Northwestern University football player Ramon Diaz is suing the school over hazing and racism allegations.

According to Diaz's lawsuit, the hazing and social pressure within Northwestern's football team were extremely intense. Unwilling individuals were coerced into conforming to a culture of abuse, racial discrimination, bigotry, and sexual exploitation, all in order to belong to the Wildcat family.

Northwestern University spokesperson Jon Yates declined to comment on the ongoing litigation but assured CNN that the institution is fully dedicated to resolving hazing-related concerns. Similarly, in February, New Mexico State University temporarily suspended its men's basketball program following hazing accusations, subsequently terminating head coach Greg Heiar's employment.

Penalties for hazing

While 44 states carry anti-hazing laws, a hazing conviction often constitutes a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500 and zero jail time.

Out of the 44 states, at least 12 have more stringent regulations concerning hazing, classifying it as a felony if it leads to death or severe injury.

As of now, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii do not have any existing legislation against hazing.

Universities can face extensive and costly legal procedures due to accusations of hazing. As of January, the university reached a $2.9 million settlement with the family of Stone Foltz, a Bowling Green student who prosecutors claimed died as a result of alcohol intoxication during a fraternity hazing incident in 2021.

The settlement was the largest payout by a public university in a hazing case in the state of Ohio, according to the familys attorney.