HAZING And ATHLETICS The Misunderstandings, and The Truths in Values!

1. HAZING And ATHLETICS The Misunderstandings, and The Truths in Values!

2. AHazing and A Lightning Bolt Are Synonymous They Destroy…………..!

3. THINK about WHY you got involved with Athletics ! Did anyone think about being Humiliated, degraded, or even injured? I hope NOT, But I am sure youthought about………

4. …….the opportunity to playorperhaps, The physical challenges The excitement of competition The development of friendships The accomplishment of goals The sense of pride The growth of self-confidence The feeling of community The fun! Well……….

6. • Hazing permeates diverse settings in our Society, not just in Athletics.• It is deeply imbedded and reflective of pervasive cultural norms making it difficult to eradicate.• Many have come to accept hazing for a number of reasons without any perspective of the resulting consequences. They Think …….

7. ……….That Hazing Accomplishes Team building , Instills needed Humility in newcomers, Establishes a Hierarchy for Decision Making within the Team and… Allows individuals Free choice regarding participation ! It is Fun, and it’s harmless Tradition All of the above are misunderstandings or perhaps the Myths of Hazing

8. Misunderstanding What is a Myth? • A Myth is a popular belief or assumption that has grown up around someone or some concept • Also, an unfounded or false notion. • So, we have Misunderstandings that have becomeMYTHS

9. Some Reasons Hazing Occurs • Upperclassmen feel that if you have to prove yourself Athletically to the Team and coaches, then it is ok for you to have to prove your are worthy of being Socially Accepted by us! • Student-Victims often feel the consequences of participating in the Hazing Activities are less than the social stigma of not being thought of positively and accepted by the group

10. Misunderstanding INITIATIONSare acceptable practicesandHAZINGis synonymouswith initiation. So itis ok,right? The truth: No! Initiations and Rituals are elements of any culture, but are associated with CEREMONIAL significance or SPIRITUAL relevance. They are MEANINGFUL experiences!

11. Misunderstanding TRADITIONSare important to teams andneed to be keepalive! The Truth : Yes!… but, Traditions should be Honorable and instill a sense of Pride in its members! There’s no pride in Hazing someone ! Would you feel pride in telling your children about the “time honored hazing incident?”

12. Misunderstanding “Hazing is no more than foolish pranks that sometimes go awry.” The Truth: Wrong! Hazing is an act of power and control over others -- it is victimization. Hazing is pre-meditated and not accidental. Hazing is abusive, degrading and sometimes life-threatening.

13. Misunderstanding “Hazing is an effective way to teach respect and develop discipline.” The Truth: No ,it never happens! Respect must be EARNED– not demanded. Respect in athletics is earned through PERFORMANCE! Hazing breeds mistrust and anger.

14. Misunderstanding “As long as there is no maliciousintent, a little hazing should be o.k. It’s fun!” The Truth: No, never! Regardless of intent, serious accidents and abusive actions such as kidnapping and scavenger hunts are not all in good fun. They do not promote team development. How many injuries or deaths does it take to understand ?

15. SuperMisunderstanding “Everyone participatedvoluntarily so it can’t be considered hazing.” The Truth: Wrong! You MUST understand this concept ! Willingness to participate has nothing to do with whether hazing took place!!! It is the creation of an unhealthy Environment or Climate that is the determining factor !

16. Super Misunderstanding “It brings us together as a team or group and helps us to bond.” The Truth: Not meaningful bonding! Hazing is more likely to divide. A team is brought together by hard work in practice that leads to success, or through the lessons of victory and defeat where you learn to count on each other.

17. Points to Ponder • 1.PASSIVE PARTICIPATION 2. THE PATH OFLEASTRESISTANCE 3. ATHLETICIDENTITY 4. PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS ISA PRIVILEGENOT A RIGHT

18. Understand this! Hazing is about …. The Sacrifice of your and your family’s values! Hazing is about you being involved in something you KNOW isn’t right! Hazing is about destroying relationships, the foundation of every successful team!

19. Kinds of Hazing Subtle Hazing: Deception, Deprivation of privileges, Name calling, Social isolation, etc. Harassment Hazing: Verbal abuse,Threats, Wearing Humiliating attire, Sexual simulations, Sleep deprivation, etc. Violent Hazing: Forced , Coerced Alcohol use, Branding, Beating, Nudity, Bondage, Abductions, Water intoxication,etc.

20. What you Need to Understand Athletics is about learning life's Values The value of…………. Friendships & Cultivating Relationships The Importance of Community Appreciating Differences A Positive Attitude Trust, Caring, & Commitment Where does Hazing a teammate fit into These Values?

21. Not a Misunderstanding! The Culture of Hazing must Change! Do you have the Courage to Start! Courage comes from the Heart

22. Values Learned in Athletics A Value is a principle or human ideal

23. Questions all Athletes should want to ask themselves! What do I expect from this experience? Does winning accomplish my goals ? Does Losing equate with failure? Does reaching my personal goals equal success? Does Sport teach Character and what is it? Do I understand what a Team stands for? What outcomes do I control in my Sport?

24. You should expect ! • The responsibility to establish Learning Experiences that bring the issue of the VALUES to the playing fields, lies with your Coaches, Teammates and Administrators but……… • It is YOUR responsibility to understand, embrace and demonstrate them daily!

25. Questions all Athletes should want to ask themselves ! • What do I expect from this experience? • Does winning accomplish my goals ? • Does Losing equate with failure? • Does reaching my personal goals equal success? • Does Sport teach Character and what is it? • Do I understand what a Team stands for? • What outcomes do I control in my Sport?

26. You should expect ! • The responsibility to establish Learning Experiences that bring the issue of the VALUES to the playing fields, lies with your Coaches, Teammates and Administrators but……… It is YOUR responsibility to understand, embrace and demonstrate them daily!

27. The Value of Friendship • Friendship from TEAMMATES last! • You will be CARED about! • You will be ACCEPTED For who you are! • You will be RESPECTED ………… • Not only because of your talent but because you are all experiencing the same successes and failures TOGETHER !

28. The Value of Cultivating Relationships • Learning that Life is built on RELATIONSHIPS • Relationships are built on TRUST • Good Communication is a Must in Trusting Relationships • Leadership Must demonstrate Trust at all times

29. The Value ofUnderstanding Community • Accept individual Responsibility • Understand different Roles • Work together to plan to achieve TEAM goals before individual ones • Execute your plans( Strategy) • Agree upon Common Goals

30. The Value of Appreciating Differences & Respecting Everyone • Different levels of Abilities ,Cultural Backgrounds, Beliefs, and Nationalities are what make a TEAM! • You are simply a …player, a teammate! • Everyone is entitled to be treated with Dignity and Respect at all times. A MUST !

31. The Value of Honesty and Integrity • Not being HONEST at all times is a momentary shortcut to feeling better but leads to long term Failure & Disrespect • INTEGRITY , Adherence to the Value that you do what is Right even if it means defeat!

32. The Value of Accepting Criticism • Constructive Criticism, along with earned praise is synonymous with Coaching! • Adversity can lead to success if a Strong Work Ethic is present!

33. The Value of Being Responsible for YOUR Own Actions • Actions can be Positive or Negative • Negative actions carry Consequences But………………………….. • An Athlete who is Responsible is less likely to seek excuses for any shortcomings and most often looks inward at themselves!

34. The Value of a Positive Attitude • Attitude is the outward expression of your inner feelings • You need to eliminate Negative thoughts to perform well! • Positive thinking enhances Confidence • Coupled with Enthusiasm, one usually eliminates immediate disappointments and moves forward!

35. The Value of Having Initiative • Initiative is Recognition of the task at hand and doing it without a request • A Form of Self-motivation • All you need is to be observant and care • Everyone can develop initiative and will be admired for it!

36. The Value of Humility • All you need to know is that………… • YOU Win with Humility and • You Lose with Dignity! • All Contests are games , they are not life and death!

37. The Value of Sacrifice • ATHLETICS is about WE not ME! • Your self esteem needs to be checked at the Locker room door! • The Greatest Sacrifice in sports participation is placing TEAM goals ahead of anything personal! A great lesson in Life!

38. The Value of Striving to be Successful • Working hard to improve needs to be learned early! • Ability and skill to accomplish the task takes more than Aspiration • Achievement can be found in small successes • Winning is not the only contributor to Success!

39. The Value of Courage • From the French word “Coeur” • Courage to live up to one’s VALUES • You do the Right thing in the face of Adversity! • Difference in Physical courage and one’s convictions needs to be taught! This is the Value of COMMITTMENT

40. Final comments • Never Ever Sacrifice your VALUES and try to be cognizant of the lessons that you are learning through your Athletic experience ! • There is no place for Hazing a Teammate that is justified in any Values • Good Luck in your endeavors, Rick Farnham

41. A Presentation on the Phenomena of Hazing The idea for, and Information, in this presentation were originally designed by the Athletic Staff of the University of Vermont intended to create discussion amongst its Athletic Teams for the purpose of Hazing Education in 2000-2001. Resources for data were: 1.Internet – Stop Hazing.org 2. Alfred University NCAA Report 2000 3. Death by Hazing SAE, 1998 4. President’s Committee, UVM, 2000 5. Character Counts, Josephson Institute Current edition designed by R. A. Farnham (2012)