- Dec 15, 2009
- 359
- 242
Talking to many of my friends cheering at several different schools, I was surprised to find this is an issue in college cheerleading.
Although my friends stories from most of the schools were pretty much harmless activities, I just wanted to throw this out there so that people are aware.
I was New Member education for my sorority, meaning I educated incoming members. Because my position pertained to new members, I was constantly sent anti-hazing information, and I consider myself pretty informed. I was also very lucky to come from a sorority with strong antihazing policies, as well as a university wide Greek life with a no tolerance policy. As a Greek, we were constantly fighting the negative stereotype and since I have heard things about several different cheer programs (even if they were small and did no physical harm) I wanted to give a little warning so that cheerleading does not have to do the same thing in the future.
Hazing can be anything from physical harm to emotional harm, intended or not, from actions that are forced to VOLUNTARY. Any peer pressure or "strong suggestions" that single someone out can turn into the legal term for hazing, which is illegal. Examples of hazing can be singling out new members or a certain group of athletes to do a certain activity, embarass them through different outfits (heck, they don't even have to be embarassing! Simply having freshman in different colored shirts then everyone else is considered hazing), maybe even doing something such as a scavenger hunt. Legally even the smallest acts can be considered hazing. If anyone, be it a team member, parent, or outsider was to turn in your organization for hazing, the team or individuals could be removed from the university, arrested , and charged with hazing.
No "tradition" or "well it was done to me" is worth your nationals ring, the football games you sideline at, your college degree, or time in jail.
All I am asking is that you think about what your doing.
I once knew of a program who was suspended from their university for a year for making new members pick orange sprinkles off cookies that had rainbow colored sprinkles. Do you really think those guys NOW agree that it was worth it?
You may think it brings your program I team together, maybe in some odd way it might; but there are safer ways to do that which do not risk things you are working hard for.
If your a coach, make sure it isn't happening.
If your a senior / captain, say the "tradition" ends with you.
If your a freshman, say you won't be a victim to hazing.
Stand up for yourself. Protect yourself. Don't give our sport a bad reputation. Whether you are at a big, well known school or a small school that doesn't compete, your a leader on your campus and this isn't acceptable. Set the standard for good behavior.
Although my friends stories from most of the schools were pretty much harmless activities, I just wanted to throw this out there so that people are aware.
I was New Member education for my sorority, meaning I educated incoming members. Because my position pertained to new members, I was constantly sent anti-hazing information, and I consider myself pretty informed. I was also very lucky to come from a sorority with strong antihazing policies, as well as a university wide Greek life with a no tolerance policy. As a Greek, we were constantly fighting the negative stereotype and since I have heard things about several different cheer programs (even if they were small and did no physical harm) I wanted to give a little warning so that cheerleading does not have to do the same thing in the future.
Hazing can be anything from physical harm to emotional harm, intended or not, from actions that are forced to VOLUNTARY. Any peer pressure or "strong suggestions" that single someone out can turn into the legal term for hazing, which is illegal. Examples of hazing can be singling out new members or a certain group of athletes to do a certain activity, embarass them through different outfits (heck, they don't even have to be embarassing! Simply having freshman in different colored shirts then everyone else is considered hazing), maybe even doing something such as a scavenger hunt. Legally even the smallest acts can be considered hazing. If anyone, be it a team member, parent, or outsider was to turn in your organization for hazing, the team or individuals could be removed from the university, arrested , and charged with hazing.
No "tradition" or "well it was done to me" is worth your nationals ring, the football games you sideline at, your college degree, or time in jail.
All I am asking is that you think about what your doing.
I once knew of a program who was suspended from their university for a year for making new members pick orange sprinkles off cookies that had rainbow colored sprinkles. Do you really think those guys NOW agree that it was worth it?
You may think it brings your program I team together, maybe in some odd way it might; but there are safer ways to do that which do not risk things you are working hard for.
If your a coach, make sure it isn't happening.
If your a senior / captain, say the "tradition" ends with you.
If your a freshman, say you won't be a victim to hazing.
Stand up for yourself. Protect yourself. Don't give our sport a bad reputation. Whether you are at a big, well known school or a small school that doesn't compete, your a leader on your campus and this isn't acceptable. Set the standard for good behavior.
