Hockey players suspended for hazing
Lead members of UVM’s hockey team have been suspended for hazing.
Four members of the men’s hockey team, including two captains, were suspended by the athletic department for five games because of their role in a recent hazing incident Sept. 24.
First-year hockey team members were forced to partake in an initiation activity by upperclassmen, the police summary of the investigation stated.
“Hazing is dangerous; it’s against University policy and it won’t be tolerated in this Athletic Department,” athletic director Jeff Shulman said.
Nobody involved in the hazing received medical attention from the UVM Medical Center, the release stated.
First-year team members were forced to drink alcohol while in their boxers, according to the release.
They were also asked to participate in activities which included eating a piece of bread soaked in tequila and playing beer pong, according to the UVM Police summary of the investigation.
“They were asked to remove their shorts and they remained in their boxers for a few hours while participating in [the activities],” the investigation summary states.
“I think it’s gross for someone to make someone feel lower than you,” junior Julia Torra said.
Junior Elisha Rennert said she feels there are alternatives to hazing, such as inclusive tradition.
Among those suspended were forwards Brendan Bradley and Mario Puskarich, senior co-captains.
In addition, senior assistant captain defender Chris Muscoby and junior assistant captain for- ward Anthony Petruzzelli were also involved, according to the press release.
Their suspensions began with UVM’s game against Clarkson University Oct. 7
The team must now take part in additional hazing education, perform 15 hours of community service and have been placed on probation for one year.
Any other incidents will lead to additional discipline and the possibility of game forfeitures, according to the press release.
Over 16 years ago, the hockey team came under fire for alleged hazing, according to an article from the Burlington Free Press.
The team’s season was cancelled after it was found that some team members lied during that investigation, a Jan. 19, 2000 The New York Times article states.
Vermont had fifteen games left in the season at the time of the suspension, according to the article.
There had also been rumors of hazing among hockey players the previous year, according to the article.
Hazing not only happens at UVM but on college campuses nationwide.
More than half of college students will have participated in hazing across the country, according to research done by stophazing.org.
