The University of North Texas has instituted sanctions on its football team in line with the university hazing website.
In an email sent to students and faculty, the university made public a list of organizations, “that have been found responsible for hazing in the past three years, as is required by Texas Education Code section 51.936( c).”
In the statement, Elizabeth With, senior vice president for student affairs, said that the last known incident of the football team’s hazing took place in 2021. She described it as a “fight club” incident. On the UNT student affairs list of sanctioned organizations, the football team’s transgressions are defined as “physical fighting; boxing, intentional act for the purposes on maintaining membership in a student group.” None of the student-athletes involved are at the university anymore.
“The university conducted an investigation that was then verified by an outside review. The investigation found, and the review confirmed, that hazing occurred but did not occur as part of any team training or activity and university employees were not aware until after the incident.” With told North Texas Daily.
According to NT Daily, the University of North Texas is the only football team in the state to be sanctioned for hazing in the past three years. As a result, coaching staff and athletes will be required to complete hazing training, provided by the North Texas Athletics Compliance Office and the University Integrity and Compliance office. These offices ensure that UNT is in compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations. The sanction placed upon the organization is based on the severity of the hazing allegation, increasingly problematic behavior may result in greater punishments.
The team is eligible to be removed from UNT’s student affairs list of sanctioned organizations in three years, assuming no other hazing incidents occur.
