The GrandRapids Press news

Rite or wrong
Saturday, June 09, 2007

There is nothing harmless or fun about being humiliated or assaulted. Coopersville Public Schools sent an appropriately strong message this week with stiff penalties for athletes who took part in more than a dozen incidents of hazing or sexually assaultive behavior against fellow students.
Seven junior varsity baseball players were expelled, suspended or otherwise punished for their role in the abusive conduct. They can count themselves lucky if that's the extent of their punishment. The behavior described by school officials went way beyond horseplay or innocent fun. Victims had their rectal and genital areas violated, among other things. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department is conducting its own investigation to determine if criminal charges will be filed.
No one should argue that such behavior is a harmless rite of passage that ushers new players onto a team. Becoming part of a school team or organization should not mean students have to endure humiliations or physical attacks.