Campus Hazing Transparency Report
Campus Hazing Transparency Report
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Act, Stop Campus Hazing Act, and Timothy J. Piazza Antihazing Law, the University publishes information in a Campus Hazing Transparency Report to provide public disclosure of substantiated hazing incidents involving student organizations and affiliated groups.
This report includes information required by law, such as the names of organizations and the investigation findings of responsibility, a general description of the violations, the dates of findings, and any sanctions imposed. The data reflects cases that have been investigated and resolved through the University’s established conduct processes and is published to support institutional transparency and accountability.
The information provided in the reports below will be updated biannually by January 1 and August 1; the report must include information regarding hazing investigations and findings for five (5) years.
Name of organization: Men’s Lacrosse Team Date of report(s): September 17, 2025 and September 19, 2025
Date of incident in question: September 13, 2025 Date investigation was initiated: September 23, 2025
Date organization was charged: October 7, 2025 (the delay in charging the organization was impacted by complainants’ requests)
Date of finding: November 3, 2025
Date the organization was notified of the findings: November 5, 2025
Alcohol or drugs: None.
General description of violation: Three (3) anonymous individuals disclosed first-hand experiences to University officials that contained violations of the University’s Hazing Policy. Investigators determined that upperclassmen on the men’s lacrosse team led a tradition known as “hot seat” for first-year (and transfer) student athletes in the program. Held off-campus, the event included secrecy, isolation of first year (and transfer) student athletes, and questioning of first year (and transfer) student athletes who were instructed to sit on a bowling pin before answering questions posed by a group of nude upper-class student athletes. Conduct and question content were inappropriate and inconsistent with Messiah Athletics’ and the University’s ethos and code of conduct, but conduct did not include violence, assault, or substance use. Two (2) part-time employees had significant knowledge of the event and did not prevent the event from taking place.
Sanctions include: the termination of two (2) part-time employees; interim suspensions from team activities of upper-class student athletes who planned, permitted, and /or participated in the event (with requirements for possible return to the team in the 2026 Spring season); and a hiatus for all team-related overnight travel outside of NCAA qualification for two (2) years.
Individual suspensions from team activities are currently subject to the University appeal process.
In addition, remedies were assigned that include further hazing education on risk factors and the range of harm that constitutes hazing for both coaching staff and student athletes. The team is tasked to identify a new tradition to replace the “hot seat” event.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
Name of organization: Men’s Soccer Team
Date of report(s): October 14, 2024
Date of incident in question: August 20, 2021
Date investigation was initiated: December 12, 2024 (At the request of the complainant, the investigation was held until after the season ended.)
Date organization was charged: December 20, 2024
Date the investigation was resolved: March 1, 2025
Alcohol or drugs: None.
General description of violation: The University received a report (on or about October 14, 2024) from an anonymous student athlete on the men's soccer team alleging that members of the coaching staff of the men's soccer program knew about and did not appropriately prevent, report, or address incidents of hazing on August 20, 2021 that included a game of kickball during which the participants removed their clothing and played naked and were subsequently chased by program alumni pretending to be University safety officers.
The University investigated the allegations of hazing (and potential retaliation); the scope of the investigation was impacted by the time between the incident in question and the report as student-athletes had since graduated from the University.
The University investigation identified that one incident of alleged hazing (as previously described) did occur on August 20, 2021. The investigation also determined that a member of the coaching staff of the men's soccer program was aware of elements of this incident and did address the incident but failed to appropriately prevent and report the incident.
Sanctions include: a coach was suspended from team activities for the remainder of the Spring semester of 2025, ending May 15, 2025; the suspension of an alumnus from a coaching or volunteer relationship with the team for the summer of 2025, and the men's soccer program will sponsor department-wide professional development and programming related to positive team culture cultivation and hazing prevention.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.
No incidents related to hazing reported during this period of time.