The gymnastics, wrestling, and both basketball teams are under investigation for alleged hazing that was brought to light by photos that were posted on the Internet. Now’s the time when all of us, not just athletes, must re-evaluate why these alleged acts are committed and, more importantly, accepted in sports.

On the surface, recent incidents — including the alleged incident here and the confirmed ones at countless other schools — are just examples of a bunch of college kids drinking. But hazing isn’t about teams hanging out socially; it’s veteran players assuming a role of power to put rookie players in humiliating positions. Then, in some situations, this is followed by the recklessly stupid act of posting pictures of the event on the Web for everyone to see.

Hazing is more about the people committing the act than it is about the ones who are unfortunate victims. In its most brutal forms, hazing shows off the depravity of the so-called team leaders. In its tamer forms, hazing is a childish version of what is considered a “rite of passage.”

Traditionally, cultural initiation rituals were for boys and girls passing into adolescence, then to adulthood and, finally, acceptance into a community. These rituals — sometimes violent, but more often psychologically demanding — were meant to test a young man or woman’s spirit and character. It determined if they were ready to become adults.

When it comes to collegiate athletics, the veterans play the “men” or “women” while the rookies take the role of “boys” and “girls.” Because the players have no way to determine who’s on the team (that’s the job of the coach, remember), the veterans set up these initiation parties to see who, on a social level, is acceptable. Apparently, players can’t contribute to their squad unless they show that they are submissive and compliant to their elders.

Don’t get me wrong — I love having a drink with my friends. But at no point have my friends forced me to drink or jump through hoops in order to gain acceptance. It’s also unacceptable to claim that those players being hazed do so by choice when they shouldn’t be put in the position to choose in the first place. Just because something is “tradition” doesn’t make it right, and players must realize there are other ways to gain and earn respect on a team.

Going through a rigorous set of tryouts, preseason workouts and practices are all the initiation sports teams need. Hazing is as unnecessary as it is senseless. If teams want to party, by all means, go crazy. Just don’t turn it into an excuse to exercise seniority at the expense of a teammate’s dignity. Alejandro is a senior writing major. Contact him at adelosr1@ithaca.edu