Hazing focus of education effort UM team to address fellow athletes

Last month, the University of Maine softball team was sanctioned by the university for a 2006 hazing party, photos of which appeared on a Web site.

This week, team members are participating in National Hazing Prevention Week.

The UMaine softball team is taking an active role by promoting a hazing-free environment within the athletic program. The goal is to educate all Black Bear student-athletes about hazing and how to prevent it from happening.

One or two softball players will address each of the other varsity teams this week, sharing their experiences about how they were affected and explaining the benefits of abolishing hazing practices.

Team members will approach all UMaine student-athletes individually and ask them to sign an oath under which they will make a commitment to promoting a hazing-free environment at UMaine and pledge not to take part in or be privy to any such act.

Once all student-athletes have signed the oath, each team will be presented with a framed copy of the document.

Softball players will be scouring the hallways of Memorial Gymnasium on Thursday and Friday, passing out hazing education materials.

On Saturday, the Bears will hold their annual fall tournament at Kessock Field against Husson College of Bangor and Saint Joseph’s College of Standish. Between games of the 10 a.m. doubleheader, players will make an announcement about National Hazing Prevention Week and the commitment of UMaine student-athletes to that effort.

UMaine last month suspended three softball players for at least two games, suspended the team from practice for one week and placed the program on probation for three years. The university conducted an investigation after photos from what was determined to be a hazing party involving UMaine softball players appeared on the Internet.

Three student-athletes were found to have violated both the UMaine student code of conduct and the school’s student-athlete code of conduct through their participation at the party.

Among other penalties handed down, the team must participate in 20 hours of community service before the start of the 2008 season and must participate in a mandatory anti-hazing and alcohol education program.