July 18th 2023.
Eight former Northwestern University football players have taken legal action to address hazing incidents in the program. According to ESPN, civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the Levin & Perconti law firm have discovered “vast array of incidents of abuse” within the program.
The university conducted a six-month investigation into the hazing allegations that eventually led to the suspension of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, without pay, for two weeks. However, Fitzgerald's suspension led to significant backlash from players, faculty, and alumni prompting the university to fire him for cause on July 10.
Crump released a statement saying, “Whether the coaches at Northwestern approved or participated in the harassment of these players or not, they are responsible for allowing and enabling a toxic, disgusting, and damaging culture in their programs. Sadly, our research suggests that this kind of abuse of student-athletes may be far more common on college campuses than we know because there is tremendous pressure to keep quiet. It’s time for a reckoning to protect young athletes.”
The university also fired its baseball coach last week due to substantiated claims of bullying, racism, and sexism during his two-year tenure. The firm Levin & Perconti expect more former football players to join its lawsuit, which could include players from the baseball program.
In a letter announcing Fitzgerald's firing, Northwestern University President Michael Schill said the hazing incidents within the football program included “forced participation, nudity and sexualized acts of a degrading nature, in clear violation of Northwestern policies and values.”
After being fired, Fitzgerald retained attorney Dan Webb to bring a possible wrongful termination lawsuit against the university. Fitzgerald had a long history with Northwestern University, as he played linebacker from 1993 to 1996 and also returned as a secondary coach in 2001. He was appointed head coach in 2006 and during his tenure, the Wildcats achieved a 110-101 record.
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