Eastern MI U.: hazing hockey team suspended
Dec. 5, 2003 ]
Recent ACHA hazing allegations catches Icers' attention
By Joel Rineer
Collegian Staff Writer
It used to be a right of passage in sports, the incoming freshmen being taught a lesson in humility (and respect) by the upperclassmen that have been through the ropes.
However, those days are gone. Long gone.
In light of the recent hazing allegations at Eastern Michigan University, the hockey club was suspended this week for the remainder of the season after a Sept. 12 incident was deemed by the university as hazing, the ethics of initiating teammates is again in the news.
And if the No. 1 ACHA Div. I Icers didn't know how serious the implications of hazing were before, they know now.
"The bottom line is in today's environment you'd be a fool to participate in anything like that," Penn State Icers coach Joe Battista said. "Education is the key. Coaches and players need to know what their rights are."
The incident involving Eastern Michigan occurred at a Sept. 12 party where police found rookie hockey players garbed in dresses and had their heads shaved. Later it was discovered that some members of the crew team had stuffed marshmallows and peanut butter into the players' buttocks.
The issue of hazing did not come as a surprise to any of the Icers, particularly the freshmen, which were schooled at the beginning of the season on the definition and implications of hazing.
The Icers did hold their own form of initiation this season, though not nearly as disturbing as the incident in Michigan, asking freshman to where gloves, helmets and an Icers shirt to class for one week at the beginning of the semester.
They were told to go up to 50 people and get them to sign their shirt, at the same time informing them about the Icers and their new position on the team.
Battista emphasized the fact that the whole process is voluntary, noting that this season two freshman were given a reprieve after they decided against the "promotional activity."
"We feel we do a good job of educating our players. We've always looked at it as a promotional thing. It draws attention to new guys and the team," Battista said.
Whether it is collecting pucks during practice or handing out other assignments, freshman goalie Chris Matteo said Battista has been more than fair this season.
"Since the beginning of the year he has really put his foot down on it so we don't alienate anybody," Matteo said. "He never singles us out like freshmen do this and freshmen do that."
Still, after catching wind of the classroom outfits, the Penn State club sports office has advised against the initiation process. And while Battista doesn't necessarily agree with the decision, he understands the decision.
"They encouraged us not to," Battista said. "Certainly we're not doing what they were doing at Eastern Michigan, but that's not the point."
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