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Author: Hank Nuwer
Journalist Hank Nuwer tracks hazing deaths in fraternities and schools. Nuwer is the Alaska author of Hazing: Destroying Young Lives; Broken Pledges: The Deadly Rite of Hazing, High School Hazing, Wrongs of Passage and The Hazing Reader. In April of 2024 and April 2025 , the Alaska Press Club awarded him first place in the Best Columnist division.
He has written articles or columns on hazing for the Sunday Times of India, Toronto Globe & Mail, Harper's Magazine, Orlando Sentinel, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the New York Times Sunday Magazine. His current book is Hazing: Destroying Young Lives from Indiana University Press. He is married to Malgorzata Wroblewska Nuwer of Fairbanks, Alaska. Nuwer is a former columnist for the Greenville (Ohio)Early Bird and former managing editor of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner in Alaska.
Nuwer was named the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists columnist of the year in 2021 for his “After Darke” column in the Early Bird. He also won third place for the column in 2022 from the Indiana chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He and his wife Gosia, recently of Union City, Ind., have owned 20 acres in Alaska for many years. “The move is a sort-of coming home for us,” said Nuwer. As a journalist, he’s written about the Alaskan Iditarod sled-dog race and other Alaska topics. Read his musings in his blog at Real Alaska Daily--http://realalaskadaily.com
Rookies deserve respect from teammates
By Amy Donaldson
Deseret News
No one is going to say they’re in support of hazing.
It’s sort of like being in favor of driving under the influence. Everybody knows it’s bad — even the dolts who do it.
But hazing is the kind of activity that easily moves from harmless fun to dangerous and demeaning without anyone really meaning it to go down that road.
Which is why I was a little disappointed to see that Deron Williams was having such a good time showing off the Tinker Bell backpacks given to Jazz rookies Eric Maynor and Wes Mathews.
OK, I know it was a joke. (And yes, I do have a sense of humor, even though in this case, I really thought it was out of place as it came after an embarrassing loss.)
But I just thought of all those youthful fans of Williams who will not know the difference between what the Jazz veterans did to their less experienced teammates, and what the Utah State Office of Education has asked schools to eliminate from school-sponsored programs.
The backpacks probably don’t constitute hazing, according to the new rule adopted by the Utah State Office of Education. But that kind of thinking — that you need to initiate the new kids — is exactly what gets teenagers into trouble.
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Many “initiations” are done in fun and are meant to welcome newbies to a team or club. But most devolve into ways to embarrass or poke fun at the newest members of a group.
Over the years there have been high-profile incidents of hazing-gone-awry, and a handful of cases that ended with teenagers facing criminal charges. The vast majority of these incidents go unreported because the children being initiated want desperately to belong. They want to be accepted and they want to be a part of the group that is tormenting them.
The State Office of Education was wise to try and get a comprehensive policy out there that spells out specifically what bullying and hazing mean in legal terms. But a much more delicate matter is that of a teenager’s psyche.
The sad fact is that any time you try to “initiate” someone into a group, the potential for problems is huge. What seems innocent or silly to one 14-year-old boy is degrading and demeaning to another. That’s the danger is allowing any kind of taunting or teasing as teams are formed — whether they’re associated with schools or not.
I guess seeing the Tinker Bell backpacks just reminded me that hazing is really so ingrained in sports culture that it’s easy to defend. Rookies are asked to do more on most teams — carry water, pick up equipment, sit in a specific area on the bus, or bring treats for the older kids. They are often given the undesirable tasks because, well, they have to prove they’re willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Or at least that’s what I’m told.
No one argues with it because anyone who grew up playing sports was asked to do it. It’s allegedly to teach the younger kids that they have to earn what the upperclassmen have.
Respect is earned, not automatic, right?
But what if it were automatic. What if youngsters were treated like anyone else on the team from day one? What if seniors carried equipment and helped younger players learn the ropes without taunting or teasing?
Would there be a revolt? Would the younger players suddenly take over? Would they be ungrateful? Disrespectful? Lazy?
My experience is that if you treat someone with respect, they usually reciprocate. When you offer to help someone, they offer to help you. When you tell someone they’re valued and important and that you’re glad to have them around, well, they act like they’re glad to be there.
Instead of worried, fearful, or resentful because of the taunting, teasing and tormenting, rookies would be comfortable, grateful and trusting.
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Making someone feel ridiculous doesn’t build them up or inspire them to work harder for the sake of the team. In fact, sometimes it causes kids just to quit. They’d rather spend their time with people who treat them with respect just because they’re willing to show up to tryouts.
If sports really are about learning life lessons, then it seems learning to treat people — regardless of their age or experience — with respect and compassion should be right there at the top of the to-do list.
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Purdue again cracks down on hazing
(Media-Newswire.com) – WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue officials on Thursday ( Dec. 10 ) announced that one campus fraternity has been suspended and two others placed on probation for violating university regulations and Interfraternity Council Risk Management policies.
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity is suspended through Aug. 1, 2010, for hazing and alcohol violations, while Sigma Alpha Epsilon is on probation through the end of new-member education in fall 2010, also for hazing activities, said Pablo Malavenda, associate dean of students. Kappa Sigma is on probation through Jan. 31 for alcohol consumption violations.
The penalties for Phi Delta Theta were more severe because violations involved multiple instances of both hazing and alcohol consumption, he said.
“Each situation involves behavior that can be addressed immediately,” Malavenda said. “Each organization has shown true remorse and has the leadership and support to get beyond this and to emerge a stronger, more values-based organization. The dean of students office is committed to being there for them every step of the way.”
University investigations concluded that Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon conducted hazing activities that included verbal and minor physical abuse of new members. Purdue regulations define hazing as any action that interferes with scholastic activities, creates a substantial risk of physical harm or degrades any person.
The university investigation also concluded that alcohol was provided to new members, members and guests at two unregistered parties in October and to new members at a “Pledge Mom/Pledge Pop Night” in November at Phi Delta Theta.
Phi Delta Theta can petition the Office of the Dean of Students for reinstatement at end of the imposed suspension. If the suspension is lifted, the chapter will remain on probation through May 1, 2011, at which time it can petition for a return to full status.
During the suspension, Phi Delta Theta cannot participate in programs with other recognized student organizations, university sponsored activities or intramural athletics as an organization. The chapter also cannot use university logos, trademarks and name; receive university funding; and will not be eligible for awards through Purdue, regional and national associations or the fraternity’s national headquarters.
A new-member education program review and revision for the Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities will be conducted immediately by the Office of the Dean of Students, the international fraternities and alumni advisory boards. In order for the two fraternities to maintain university recognition, they must abide by terms that include: completing at least two community service or philanthropy projects each semester at a location approved by the Office of the Dean of Students; have 90 percent attendance by active members to any hazing, new membership or alcohol education sponsored by the Purdue Interfraternity Council and Office of the Dean of Students; and 90 percent of Phi Delta Theta’s chapter members must attend a screening for the documentary “HAZE.”
The university’s investigation of Kappa Sigma concluded that alcohol was left by an alumnus visiting the chapter and consumed by new members, and a new member provided alcohol to an underage guest.
Kappa Sigma must: work with international headquarters to establish a plan for the continuous improvement of the social practices and attend a screening of the documentary “HAZE.” No functions with alcohol will be permitted at the chapter facility until after the probation is lifted.
According to university regulations, only sanctions of “suspension” or “withdrawal of recognition” of a student organization can be appealed to the Campus Appeals board. Malavenda said the suspended fraternity has until 5 p.m. Friday ( Jan. 11 ) to appeal the sanction.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu
Source: Pablo Malavenda, 765-494-1232, pablo@purdue.edu
Excerpt:
A 19-year-old fraternity member from Macon,was hospitalized with injuries his mother says stemmed from hazing at the fraternity house. Another member from Fort Valley was charged with felony assault. Updated Dec. 16, 2024 Moderator Hank Nuwer