By Dr. David Hoch, CMAA
Recently, there was a hazing incident at a high school locker room in my area and allegations that coaches were not present. The incident left me scratching my head and wondering why, in this day and age, a coach would leave a locker room unattended. And had the school done enough to educate those coaches?
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Part of any athletic department risk management guidelines should indicate that there needs to be supervision at all times not only on the practice field or courts, but also in the locker room. This is a duty that falls on all coaches and is clearly explained in professional courses, textbooks, and educational materials distributed by professional associations.
In this case, the perpetrators of the alleged hazing were suspended by the school for a few games but remained on the team. One parent, and hopefully she represented a very small minority, was interviewed and asked what she thought about the punishment. Her response: "It probably was an overreaction by the school."
An overreaction? Without detailing the graphic specifics of this hazing incident, trust me that it was totally inappropriate and damaging. That parent's comment, perhaps uttered with little thought, demonstrates another problem--that parents also may not understand the dangers and impact of hazing.
The entire incident prompted a number of questions about whether the school had done enough to educate its coaches. For example, not one person on the coaching staff was a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association. Since the Maryland State Coaches Association (MSCA) has a dual membership arrangement with the NFHS, and I am the Executive Director of the MSCA, I maintain the membership data bank and have access to this information. With membership in the NFHS Coaches Association, coaches receive a subscription to Coaches' Quarterly, which constantly presents articles about the dangers of hazing.
In addition to membership in the MSCA, the coaches would have greatly benefited by completing the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course. This online course is very inexpensive and would have also provided a practical understanding of supervision, risk management, and countless other topics.
The NFHS also produces a CD about hazing, which is intended to be shown to coaches and athletes, and explains the dangers of hazing and how to prevent it. It is also appropriate to show to parents at preseason meetings and can be very helpful to dispel many of the myths that hazing is just part of team building.
Hopefully with the suspensions and discipline of the athletes involved, there will be no legal problems. But membership in the NFHS Coaching Association also includes $1 million in liability coverage. Whether it is a problem with hazing, risk of injuries, or any other concern, no coach should go onto the field or court without this coverage. The membership fee is very low.
Membership and national certification won't solve all problems, but they certainly are a great starting point. If nothing else, these efforts will provide a better background for your coaches and demonstrate professionalism on their part.
Your student-athletes and athletic program deserve the very best. Make sure your coaches join the NFHS Coaches Association and complete their Level I National Certification to help ensure that problems like hazing will no longer be an issue.
David Hoch, EdD, CMAA, recently retired as Athletic Director at Loch Raven High School in Baltimore County, Md. He is a frequent contributor to Athletic Management.