Hazing investigation involving two Southcoast school districts results in student punishment

MATTAPOISETT/FAIRHAVEN — Old Rochester Regional School District Superintendent Michael Nelson and Fairhaven Public Schools Superintendent Tara Kohler announce that an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding accusations of hazing involving the districts’ joint varsity hockey program has been completed.

The investigation found that hazing did occur and that multiple members of the joint hockey team violated school policies.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, a staff member at ORRHS shared concerns with administrators regarding a video that was circulating among students showing a member of the hockey team apparently being subjected to an act of hazing by teammates.

An investigation was launched immediately, and administrators met with multiple students and their parents/guardians to determine the facts of what occurred.

Consistent with district policies and procedures during these types of incidents, the Mattapoisett school resource officer was notified. The athletic directors from both districts were also in constant communication with one another.

The investigation identified multiple students involved in the hazing as well as multiple student witnesses to the hazing.

The investigation, which was conducted by ORR administrators in consultation with Fairhaven Public Schools administrators, found that a student-athlete on the hockey team was the victim of hazing carried out by multiple teammates on Oct. 17 in the locker room of Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne. The team was participating in an independent event that had been organized by a parent, and no athletic staff or coaches from either school were involved or present. Students from both ORRHS and Fairhaven High School were present at the time of the incident.

The two districts are jointly reviewing policies regarding unsanctioned or independent team activities and practices that occur outside the purview of school athletics staff.

The students found to have participated in the hazing have been disciplined in a manner consistent with both schools’ student handbooks and will be banned from participation on the hockey team for the 2021-2022 season.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has been notified of the incident and ORR has shared the results of the investigation with the MIAA.

The districts will also conduct additional training with all student-athletes and coaches on recognizing, preventing and responding to hazing.

“This is a deeply disappointing and troubling incident. We expect our students to treat each other with kindness and respect at all times, both inside and outside of school,” Superintendent Nelson said. “An ORRHS staff member did the right thing by bringing their concerns to the attention of our administrators so that it could be appropriately investigated and addressed. We will be working to ensure our students understand the impact their behavior has on others so that incidents like this do not happen again.”

“I was upset to learn of this incident, but am confident that this investigation was a thorough examination of what occurred,” Superintendent Kohler said. “Athletic and co-curricular activities are meant to be enriching experiences for our students, and we will not tolerate hazing in any of our programs. I am hopeful that this incident will serve as a reminder to all that we expect everyone in our school community to act with respect and integrity at all times.”