LLOYDMINSTER — The Women’s and Men’s volleyball teams at Lloydminster’s Lakeland College campus have been benched by sanctions following a joint investigation by the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and Lakeland College involving hazing.
The hazing incidents took place between Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, including an on-campus rookie party on Sept. 1, prior to the start of the fall semester classes. According to a media release from the college, two players experienced the hazing and have withdrawn from Lakeland and enroled elsewhere in the ACAC since the incident.
During the investigation, the ACAC concluded that the hazing activities included both the men’s and women’s teams, with evidence implicating the women’s team as being more involved. Evidence also suggested that these activities have been ongoing for a number of years and were part of a longstanding tradition among volleyball student athletes.
“As an institution, we’re disappointed this has happened, but we’re in agreement with the sanctions against the teams,” said Alan Rogan, director of athletics at Lakeland College in the press release.
The ACAC stated in their report of this investigation that all hazing activities are condemned in the strongest terms possible and reiterated the position that hazing is forbidden, serving no valuable purpose towards a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment, academically or athletically.
“The investigation found that the teams participated in hazing activities, which is a violation of both Lakeland’s and the ACAC’s student-athlete codes of conduct,” added Rogan. “These activities don’t align with Lakeland’s values of respect and integrity, nor with our expectations for student conduct.”
With the investigation concluding, sanctions have been applied to the Rustlers’ volleyball programs, including:
- The women’s team is suspended for the first eight matches of the 2025-26 season and will not commence ACAC competition until Nov. 28;
- The men’s team is suspended for the first four matches of the 2025-26 season and will not commence ACAC competition until Nov. 14;
- Lakeland College will be fined an amount equal to the ACAC $500/ match forfeit penalty (12 matches x $500/ forfeit = $6,000);
- Lakeland College is required to issue a letter of apology to the two individuals who experienced the hazing incidents, and;
- All members of the current Lakeland College volleyball teams, including players and coaches, will be required to undergo anti-hazing training in a program prescribed by the ACAC, before being eligible to participate in ACAC competitions.
To further strengthen this stance, the ACAC will be introducing an ongoing annual program to educate student-athletes and team personnel about hazing and the ACAC Anti-Hazing policy. Rogan also noted that training about hazing will be expanded to include all Rustlers’ athletic programs, acknowledging that expectations must be reinforced and ensure that all student-athletes and coaches are aware of and adhere to the conduct standards.
