OSAA Foundation Addresses Hazing in Oregon High Schools

WILSONVILLE (August 14, 2007) – The OSAA Foundation is helping address the growing issue of high school hazing by providing an anti-hazing DVD to each OSAA member high school beginning this week. This is the first allocation of funds by the OSAA Foundation since its inception in Fall 2005.

“When we began the OSAA Foundation our primary goal was to raise enough funds to supplement and enhance the co-curricular activity programs in OSAA member schools,” said OSAA Foundation President Tom Welter. “We believe that the distribution of this educational DVD provides a great opportunity to combat hazing in Oregon high schools. “

The anti-hazing DVD, produced by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA), aims to educate school administrators, coaches, parents and students about the problem of hazing, the possible consequences and what can be done about it. The OSAA Foundation is encouraging OSAA member schools to show the DVD to the entire high school staff, athletic/activity participants (including coaches), and parents.

“Too often in our society hazing is ignored completely or excused in the name of tradition,” Welter said. “By helping educate students, parents, coaches and school administrators, we hope to create increased awareness around this troubling issue.”

The DVD contains two separate presentations, “Dying to Belong” and “Hazing-Break the Tradition, or Break the Law.” “Dying to Belong” is aimed at parents and students and examines the cause and effect of the problem while offering practical advice on how students can stop the abuse. “Hazing-Break the Tradition, or Break the Law” provides information and a plan of action to assist athletic directors, coaches, school administrators, teachers and other school staff to understand and find solutions for this growing problem.

The OSAA Foundation was instituted in 2005 to help ensure the future of educational activities in Oregon high schools. The long range goal of the OSAA Foundation is to grow through OSAA-driven programs (like Endowment Games) and contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations in order to provide a more stable financial base for our schools and the students of tomorrow. For information, and to make a donation online, visit www.osaafoundation.org.

The Oregon School Activities Association is a private-non profit, board governed association comprised of 291 member high schools. The OSAA, sanctioned by the Oregon State Board of Education and a member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, annually sponsors 116 state championships in 19 sports and activities. For more information, visit www.osaa.org.