Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I played back in 2008 and we had no such traditions. No one was ever hazed either, not to say players didn't get picked on, but that's differently then hazing. Sounds like these kids were just being a bunch of jerks.
Bunch of jerks?
It sounds extremely serious, it is all over the news. Other HS(from other schools) kids have the gory details. Not the fist hushed up offense I head about, and that is just this school year. Not to mention(relatively insignificant) their cheer coach putting down other HS cheer athletes on social media, which shows the mentality of lack of accountability at Damascus.
MCPS really needs to take a hard look at the toxic culture in its athletic programs county wide. Coaches set the tone for the team and there are definitely toxic coaches across the county. For any school, if complaints roll in for multiple teams, leadership of the programs including the coaches, Athletic Director, and Principal should be scrutinized. Ultimately, #weRAISE should be more than just a slogan by MCPS System-Wide Athletic Director, Jeff Sullivan. Cleaning house of the athletic program is needed to protect students in MCPS so hazing, bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual assaults of students is no longer tolerated and covered up.
For those of you who don't know what RAISE is supposed to stand for, its: Respect & Sportsmanship; Academic Excellence; Integrity & Character; Spirited & Safe Competition; Equity & Access.