Northwestern University football players are upset and likely have been for quite some time. It appears that hazing (you can look this up) has been a regular and perhaps sanctioned activity. That this practice has been sanctioned is essentially the focus of a lawsuit being brought by players against the team's ex-coach and University leadership following in-turn an independent investigation that verified incidents and allegations. Note, that a recent survey by the NCAA (college sports association) has found that 74% of players experienced hazing at some time in their "career".
One question to be answered: if this is such a common practice then do Boards and Administrations actually believe hazing to be acceptable and even one of the core values? And if the answer is "no" then why don't Boards and Administrations make a change (which is now more likely to happen now that this is a legal matter)?
Like the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts USA, private schools, the girls USA Olympic Team, no one can actually believe that practices that are surely not officially part of the core values aren't known by those who establish the core values and practices. Evidence for both the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts USA confirm this to be true. I believe money plays a big part. College sports are big ticket items generating huge revenues for schools. Similarly, donors line-up to support the Boy Scouts and well, there's church and clearly not just the Roman Catholic denomination.
Money! Justifiable and acceptable? Certainly not. And here's where law suits may be the only recourse given that in most cases the psychological and emotional and even physical damage has been done. Here's where I must call on nonprofit boards to say: ask the questions. Are your claimed values being lived on the ground. Ask for proof. Ask your customers. Ask annually at minimum. Ignorance and reliance on written reports is just not enough. And let's be real: you likely know when "things" aren't as they seem. Remember your fiduciary duties.