News Tip: More Accountability Needed to Change Culture of Sports Bullying

The bullying case involving two Miami Dolphins players has put a spotlight on the culture of hazing in athletics. Greg DaleProfessor of sports psychology and sports ethics, Duke Universitygdale@duaa.duke.eduhttp://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=208336760Dale is the director of sports psychology and leadership programs for Duke Athletics and a professor of sport psychology and sport ethics. He specializes in leadership and performance issues and has written four books on these subjects. Quote:"In most of the interviews since the case of Martin and Incognito came to light, athletes and coaches have been saying that hazing is okay but bullying isn't. What they must understand is that hazing, while often portrayed as harmless and a rite of passage, creates a culture and hierarchical system of power that promotes bullying. "It is very likely that several of the other players on the team knew of and even participated in some form of hazing against Martin. The mentality that what happens in the locker room is OK and separate from what happens in society must come to an end. "Athletes who witness this behavior must have the courage to stand up for a teammate and put it a stop to it. Coaches need to also take a stronger stance on this culture. The problem is that cultural change is difficult and will not happen unless there is more accountability for this type of behavior."