The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) served suspensions to the Lakeland College Rustlers volleyball teams after reports of rookie parties involving hazing.
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According to the ACAC, the parties involved the Rustlers men’s and women’s volleyball teams and took place on Sept. 1. The incidents were reported to the college on Sept. 9 by parents of two female student-athletes who decided to leave the program due to the negative experience they reported.
The women’s team was suspended for the first eight games of the 2025-26 season, and the men received a four-game suspension. Each forfeiture also carries a $500-per-game penalty, for which Lakeland College is responsible.
According to an ACAC report, “recruits were informed the party was a tradition and something they would have to ‘get through.’ Rookies were provided alcohol by the veterans, made to dress in embarrassing costumes, made to perform for the veterans in costume and were asked embarrassing and inappropriate questions of a sexual nature. The rookies, except for one rookie who did not drink alcohol and made that clear, became quickly inebriated.
“At least one of the women’s volleyball rookies became extremely intoxicated, and her roommate, the rookie who did not consume alcohol, spent the night monitoring her. In the morning, those two student-athletes were picked up by their parents and withdrew from the program.”
The men’s rookie party reportedly featured similar events and included a “beep test,” with participants shotgunning a beer.
According to ACAC CEO Mark Kosak’s recollection, this is the first ACAC investigation of its kind.
“Hazing may indeed happen elsewhere, but unless we receive a credible formal complaint, it’s highly difficult to investigate,” he told the Meridian Source via email, explaining the women’s punishment was more severe due to more substantive information being collected.
The ACAC defines hazing as a “broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants.”
Rustlers athletic director Alan Rogan confirmed that the college agreed with the sanctions.
“We can’t argue the fact that it happened. We’re the ones who got reported and we can’t argue the fact hazing did occur,” he said. “In the ACAC operating code and in our code of conduct, it says hazing cannot occur. All kids sign off on that.”
“Whether I agree or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s listed as policy and we’re bound to follow that,” said Rogan. “We also have those definitions of hazing in our code of conduct and our student-athlete handbook. It’s not in the same detail, but we do have similar definitions in our documentation.”
On top of game suspensions and fines, the ACAC has mandated Lakeland College engage in mandatory training about hazing during the suspension period. The program and format delivery will be determined by the ACAC and any associated costs will be paid for by Lakeland College or the Rustlers volleyball programs.
“We believe in accountability, learning and moving forward with an acknowledgment of how we fell short and a commitment to doing better,” said Rogan. “We are committed to working with our student-athletes and helping them grow into leaders on and off the court.”
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