For the past 10-15 years, both Francis Howell and Howell North’s Hockey teams have participated in a tradition surrounding their annual ‘Gold Cup’ game. Each year, the freshmen players entering the program get their heads shaved in a tradition that is used by the players and coaches to pump up their respective teams. However, because of the fact that Hockey is not school sponsored, there has been speculation as to whether or not this tradition will be allowed due to the ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against any form of hazing passed by the District over the summer.

“I really don’t think it’s fair,” junior forward David Hitchcock said. “If they don’t want to sponsor us, then they shouldn’t be able to control us.”

The District took steps to dispel some of that speculation on Sept. 18 in the first meeting with the three high school programs to discuss the disassociation of the two groups. It was established during the meeting that the idea of a possible separation was not strictly a reaction to the head shaving, but more of a cautionary measure by the District based on legal advice given. Coaches and parents were in attendance.

“We had the hazing issue with Ice Hockey and Hockey is one of the biggest clubs out there,” Athletic Director Mike Janes said. “And we have so many parameters that go on. We do have a trophy case for them, they do participate in Black and Gold day, I think that was the reason why [separation talks] were started there.”

If the separation were to happen, some of the possible changes would include the removal of Hockey’s trophy case in the gym lobby, not being able to participate in Black and Gold Day and pep-assembly’s, and the omission of Hockey in the morning announcements. Currently, no action is being taken to officially separate the District from Hockey, but more meetings are expected to discuss the matter. As of press time, the dates of those meetings were unknown.

“The hardest thing about it is these are still our students,” Janes said. “We care about these kids and we want them to be successful, but we can’t pick and choose when we are associated with them.”

Logan Ponche