Courtesy of Maine Sports Information
ORONO, Maine - As part of National Hazing Prevention Week (Sept.
24-30), the University of Maine softball team has spearheaded an
initiative that will promote a hazing-free environment among the
athletic department. The team's goal is to educate each Black Bear
varsity athletics team about hazing and how to prevent it from
happening on other teams.
This week the softball team will speak with the other varsity
teams on campus and share with them their own experiences and how it
affected them personally and as a team. One to two members of the squad
will speak with each team to explain the initiative and the benefits of
abolishing hazing activities.
In addition to the speaking engagements, members of the
softball team will personally ask each Black Bear student-athlete to
sign an oath stating that they commit to promoting a hazing-free
environment, and pledge to not take part in any hazing activity whether
it be as an active participant or bystander. After every
student-athlete has signed the oath, each team will be given a framed
copy. Members of the softball team will be in the hallways of the
Fieldhouse on the Maine campus on Thursday and Friday of this week
handing out hazing education materials and having athletes sign the
oath.
The week will culminate this Saturday at the softball team's
annual Fall tournament at Mike Kessock Field. Several members of the
team will make an announcement in between games about National Hazing
Prevention Week and the student-athletes commitment to promoting a
hazing-free environment.
Saturday's Fall doubleheader will begin at 10 a.m. when Maine
faces Husson College. The day will conclude with a 1 p.m. contest
versus St. Joseph's. Admission is free for all home events at Kessock
Field.