Building Community without Hazing: A CommRadio Podcast

One reason hazing has persisted as long as it has is the belief that it builds strong bonds between new members of an organization and the existing ones who endured a similar ordeal. Those bonds, then, are supposed to help form the foundation of a healthy community.

Researchers and scientists are diligently working to unwind that myth, though. Dr. John Heil is a sport and clinical psychologist who also spent time as a lecturer at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and at Virginia Tech's Carilion School of Medicine. He notes that a "hazing clearinghouse" established by Hank Nuwer reports at least one hazing death on a college campus annually since 1959. So, it's reasonable to conclude that a practice as dangerous as hazing cannot be a part of effective team or community building.

It's not quite so cut-and-dried, though. Dr. Heil highlights the complex psychological nature of team building and the subtleties that can differentiate a positive experience from a negative one.

"Take a scavenger hunt for example," he said. "While identified as a hazing practice, arguably it can be done without a dangerous or demeaning impact. Which raises the question, if it is not destructive or demeaning, is it hazing?"

Dr. Heil, along with Shea Brown, wellness and clinical services coordinator at Penn State, spoke with CommRadio for this podcast conversation that examines how hazing is detrimental to community and team building with a focus on collegiate athletes.

Then, for Episode 2, members of Penn State's men's soccer team sat down to discuss their approach to team building - sans hazing - and how it contributes to the team's success.

Episode 1

Download the Episode 1 transcript

Episode 2

Download the Episode 2 transcript