i've heard some of the frat house hazing are far worse then having to carry pads to and from practice. yet no one says anything about that becuase its "part of the tradition".
You don't hear about it because it doesn't make the news.
But I'll give you a "first time for everything" moment right here and say that any sort of hazing is pretty much bull. There. Now you can't say that no one says it.
And Dive...I'm sorry, but all your points really have nothing to do with hazing. Team spirit doesn't demand hazing, teamwork doesn't demand hazing, sportsmanship doesn't demand hazing. All you have left is, "It's tradition, so people should just shut up and do it." which is probably the worst reason possible for just doing something.
Personally, I applaud the guy. Granted, carrying pads is pretty darn mellow as far as hazing goes, but the very concepts of hazing and "paying your dues" are nothing more than egotistical jerks hoping to bully a new guy around and get some laughs before the new guy realizes he doesn't have to take their crap.
But anyway, it doesn't matter, and I'm sure most people don't actually care all that much. The only guys getting all worked up are the ones upset that they missed out on some quality bullying. =D