Conceptualizing a Meaningful Definition of Hazing in Sport

Abstract

Administrators, coaches, athletes and parents struggle to understand the definition of hazing. Athletes at all levels of competition continue to subject themselves and their team-mates to harmful behaviors. In particular, college athletes seem willing to do anything that veteran players demand in order to be part of the team's “inner circle”. The behaviors related to hazing exploit a person's basic desire to be part of athletic teams, and continue to persist at high rates within various levels of sport. This paper critically examines how sport hazing has been conceptualized by student-athletes, coaches and sport administrators. Through a review of literature and focus group research, multiple issues related to the understanding of hazing and its subsequent definition arose. The confusion surrounding the various acts of hazing and the definition of hazing versus team initiation may be precipitating the problem in collegiate sport. The authors will elaborate on this issue and the paper will culminate in a proposed new definition of sport hazing intended to help develop a better understanding among stakeholders.

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