Where does tradition stop and hazing start?

Which behaviors cross the line into hazing? Some we can all agree on, such as dangerous drinking games and branding. But what about head shaving? Being forced to carry the team equipment?

Not surprisingly, during my campus visits, student-athletes and coaches have disagreed among themselves about whether certain team traditions are hazing. Several student-athletes have said to me, "Come on, haven't we gone too far on this hazing subject? Just get people to lighten up already." Or, as one coach put it to me, "In all honesty, some wild parties my team had this year were good for team chemistry."

The evidence is clear that implementing a comprehensive hazing-prevention program can effectively address why hazing occurs, can give clear messages about what constitutes hazing and can increase positive team-building activities.

Based on what I have learned during my work at college campuses, I believe any useful hazing-prevention program should include the following:

An active approach to hazing prevention must involve working with student-athletes, coaches, athletics administrators, college administrators and student support staff. Athletics and university policies on hazing must be consistent between athletes and non-athletes.

and distributed to student-athletes. This will help reduce confusion.

Team captains and team leaders are a crucial component of a hazing-prevention program. Teaching communication, team-building and conflict-resolution strategies to team leaders significantly helps the confidence and effectiveness of this group.

Coaches need ongoing training in recognizing the signs of hazing. They also need assistance in working with the year-2001 student-athlete. Coaches can benefit from learning new, positive team-building strategies to improve team chemistry.

There needs to be consistency within schools from team to team in implementing hazing-prevention policies. When one team knows that another team has fewer or stricter rules, the effectiveness of the policy is undermined.

Time, energy and resources need to be spent to develop alternative, positive forms of team celebration and initiation. If a void is left, hazing behaviors are more likely to occur.

At each school, certain teams are at a higher risk for hazing and risky behavior. Small-group follow-up work needs to be targeted toward high-risk teams.

Social contracts and social norming can be effective tools in working with student-athletes to assist students in committing themselves to working against hazing behavior. When student-athletes are engaged in creating hazing reduction policies, they are significantly more likely to take responsibility for the policies' implementation.

To maintain athletics department credibility on the hazing issue, consequences must be consistently applied to high- and low-profile sports. Clear consequences to hazing behavior, ranging from warnings to team suspensions, are crucial components to an effective hazing-prevention program.

Hazing should be a top priority at orientation for freshmen and new student-athletes. The issue is best addressed on its own and not as part of an orientation that also addresses a host of other student-athlete concerns. The hazing issue also needs to be revisited two or three times during the year to keep it as a priority.

A confidential mechanism for student-athletes to report potential hazing behaviors must be established.

It is important to include alcohol education, decision-making and positive peer pressure as part of a student-athlete's training in hazing prevention. Student-athletes must feel that peer pressure supports their speaking up and taking a stand on this issue.

Sportsmanship, ethical behavior and positive teamwork are related student-athlete issues that can be effectively connected to hazing prevention.

When a hazing prevention program is initiated by the president and deans, it adds weight and credibility to the work being done and makes the issue a priority in the minds of students and staff.

The good news, though, is that the reduction of hazing behaviors is a realistic goal. The evidence is clear that with a coordinated strategy, hazing behaviors can be significantly reduced, and new, healthier, team traditions can become the norm.

Joel Fish is the director of The Center for Sport Psychology and a frequent speaker at NCAA events.