Boston College’s Swimming and Diving team was suspended this past September due to hazing, targeted specifically at freshmen. The hazing occurred when the upperclassmen excessively pressured the new freshman on the swim team to drink excessively despite being underage. According to the letter written by Boston College’s administration, the hazing occurs on day two of a happening for three days straight. Reports of the incidents showed that freshmen were given bags to wear around their necks for vomit, and the freshmen were forced to drink until they vomited. After many of the freshmen vomited, the upperclassmen forced the freshmen to consume their own vomit, leading to many of them passing out afterward.
A Boston College faculty member came forward to report this incident to the Boston College administration. Boston College has a strict, no-hazing policy, which caused the Boston College swimming and diving team to be suspended indefinitely. Lawyers of 37 students immediately jumped into action after the suspension to sue BC for their suspensions.. Their reasoning was that only part of the swim team was involved in the hazing and that the whole team should not be suspended because of their actions.
Hazing is defined in most college catalogs as “any brutality of a physical nature, such as paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity that would subject the individual to physical harm or mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which would adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.” ESPN reports that over 80% of college student-athletes have been hazed at some point in their athletic careers.
In 2017, former Somerville High athlete Galileo Mondol was one of three people charged with using a broomstick in a hazing sexual assault incident. Mondol responded that the hazing had been preceded that weekend in 2013 “…by numerous incidents of sexualized misconduct that purportedly went undetected by Somerville coaches and chaperones who were responsible for supervising the student-athletes.” (Boston.com) Charges against Mondol were later dropped and his motion for summary judgement granted. This case is indicative of a “tangled” community where primary culprits were untouchable and the tradition of hazing, no matter its consequences, has continued.
In Danvers this year, the Hockey team engaged in “Gay Tuesdays,” where freshmen would have to strip blindfolded and seniors would touch them and the freshman would have to guess who it was. The coach lost his job. At Woburn High, parent Kevin Couceles says cellphone video shared on social media showed his then 14-year-old son being assaulted in the locker room after a football game last September. Several students, including football players in uniform, are seen pouring water on him and throwing water bottles. Couceles says a student pulled down his son’s pants and groped him.
Northwestern University’s hazing case in the summer and fall of 2023 only came to light due to the actions of three whistleblowers and athletic staff compelled to tell the school “…of the head coach’s NCAA violations and a bullying attitude that led to the potential harm of the baseball players…”
Hazing is all about groupthink, unified thought, marching in lockstep as a way to eliminate individuality and exist as one monolithic unit. Hazing ringleaders want initiates to engage in dangerous behavior as a way for them to “fit in” but in some instances, they will also enjoy a power vs powerless dynamic.
Sam, who spoke with this reporter under condition of anonymity, reflects on his recent experiences at a prominent academic institution in Boston. “I wasn’t an athlete- far from it. I was (and still am) a nerd at heart. However, as a freshman in 2019, I found myself compelled to pledge a fraternity as part of my Engineering major. Little did I know what was going to happen. It was really deviant and strange. Think about ‘Animal House’ but add social networks and hallucinogens, blindfolds and poppers. Hazing has a pre-occupation with pushing envelopes, especially as male identity is concerned. We’re vulnerable enough when we enter college. Add to that this sudden need to align with an intimate partner. It’s gross. Now I’m a senior and gratefully far away from that sick behavior.”
The judge in the Boston College case denied the request to overturn the suspension for the 37 students for the semester, causing them to not be able to compete and pushing back either athletic careers. He denied the Boston College Swimming and Diving team’s request to reinstate the Boston College swim team. This was extremely detrimental for the swimmers. Not only are they not getting the practice to maintain their times; but they have lost the opportunity to compete and potentially qualify for national competitions that could advance their careers.
Immediately recognizing hazing that is dangerous is critical for the safety of the initiate. Shifting the power dynamic between members and initiates and being willing to challenge dangerous hazing traditions are important actions that one can take to reduce and avoid damaging hazing behaviors. Hazing which is very harmful should be taken extremely seriously. If you or anybody you know is facing such issues, please visit https://stophazing.org/ for help. Also, report all concerns to the school board and school departments. Also, report all concerns to the school board and school departments.
