Kevin Cataldo

Student-Athlete Anti-Hazing Policy

Teams may have traditions that bring the members of the team closer together, form
special bonds, or build an acceptance for one another. I feel strongly that traditions should live
on and be well respected by each member of the team. However, any form of hazing will not be
accepted, even if it was previously considered a team tradition, rite of passage, or initiation. This
team has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hazing. Hazing is defined as any intentional
activities that physically or mentally harass, abuse, humiliate, discriminate, or pressure another
person in to doing something they do not want to do. Hazing includes but is not limited to:

Physical harm such as hitting, kicking, biting, forced consumption of substance (i.e. food,
liquor, drugs, other fluids), or forced physical activity (i.e. exercises to the extreme that
could put the physical health and safety of an individual in to jeopardy).

Activities that could affect the mental health or dignity of an individual such as sleep
deprivation, exclusion from a social group, exclusion from social contact with anyone, or
forced acts of conduct that are meant to embarrass.

Activities not forced physically but are otherwise reckless, negligent, or peer pressured
and lead to any of the activities listed above, or any other act of breaking state or federal
law such as underage drinking.

Direct proof of membership in a particular group is not necessary for the above incidents to be
considered hazing; therefore, any incidents that may occur with prospective athletes will be
included in this policy and will have the same consequences as incidents that occur with current
members of the team. Furthermore, acts of hazing do not have to occur on school grounds to
warrant consequences.

Kevin Cataldo
Punishment from the Athletic Department:
Any of the above actions or activities is unacceptable in our program. Punishment for such
actions will be indefinite suspension or complete dismissal from the team pending the severity of
the actions. We take hazing very serious and will have a zero tolerance policy. If an athlete takes
part in hazing in a mild form, they will be suspended indefinitely from the team as there are no
mild forms of hazing. The student will also have to complete another anti-hazing seminar.
Once back on the team, if athletes are found to be participating in hazing activities again,
complete dismissal from the team will occur. If any of the hazing actions lead to or require
actions by law enforcement, the athlete will be immediately dismissed from the team.
Punishment outside the Athletic Department:
Any form of physical injury is a misdemeanor and could lead to a fine or jail time. If hazing
results in an impairment of a bodily function, such actions are considered a felony and offenders
can serve up to 5 years in prison. If death is the end result of hazing activities, a 15 year sentence
in prison may ensue. Hazing is not worth the consequences. The captains of this team are
expected to set the correct example for the rest of the team. Captains should never engage in
hazing activities, and should stop any form of hazing immediately and report such activities to
the head coach.
Acceptable Behavior:

Encouragement and support of your teammates.

Team-bonding traditions that do not threaten the physical or mental health of any
athletes, such as pre-competition chants.

Customary athletic events or competitions, or other activities that have a legal and
legitimate underpinning.

Kevin Cataldo
Where the Document will be Located:
Each member of the team will sign a document stating that they have read the above document
and know how we define hazing, as well as understand the consequences of hazing result in
indefinite suspension of complete removal from the team. The students will sign this document
at the beginning of each season. Signed documents will be kept on file for the duration of each
athletes competitive career or for a minimum of 4 years, whichever comes first. The same
document will be included in the team handbook that is given to each athlete at the beginning of
the year. In addition to this, the members of the team will complete an anti-hazing seminar at the
beginning of each school year.