All articles tagged with #hazing allegations
Originally Published 2 months ago — by NJ.com
The Rutgers chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity was closed after hazing and safety violations, including a serious electrical injury to a student, led to investigations and the fraternity's decision to shut down the house, which was also found to have a history of code violations and vandalism.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ESPN
Former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald's attorney is seeking a December trial date for Fitzgerald's wrongful termination lawsuit against the university, as he wants to avoid sitting out a third season before coaching again. Fitzgerald was fired in the wake of hazing allegations within the program and filed a lawsuit seeking more than $130 million in damages. The judge had proposed April 2025 as a possible trial date, but no date was set during a recent virtual court hearing. Both parties are encouraged to reach a settlement before trial.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Bleacher Report
Former Northwestern student-athletes have defended the university's athletic culture and condemned hazing in an open letter, stating that the allegations do not represent the overall athletics culture at Northwestern. The university recently fired its head football and baseball coaches following investigations into hazing and abusive behavior. Northwestern is now facing multiple lawsuits from former players alleging hazing and mistreatment. Former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been hired to conduct an investigation into the overall athletics culture and accountability mechanisms at the university.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ESPN
Northwestern University fired Pat Fitzgerald, the winningest coach in the history of the football program, following an investigation into hazing allegations. The university president, Michael Schill, initially suspended Fitzgerald for two weeks but later reconsidered and terminated his employment. Fitzgerald, who had been with Northwestern for 17 years, may pursue legal action against the university. The future of the program remains uncertain, with players expressing anger and potential transfers looming. Northwestern will likely have an interim coach for the upcoming season, and the search for a permanent replacement will be led by athletic director Derrick Gragg. The handling of the situation by the administration has been heavily criticized.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
Northwestern University has fired Pat Fitzgerald, the head football coach, following an investigation that revealed widespread hazing within the team, including forced nudity and sexualized acts. Fitzgerald had initially been suspended for two weeks without pay after the hazing allegations were found to be credible. The university's investigation did not find evidence that Fitzgerald knew about the hazing, but it was "well-known by many in the program." The decision to fire Fitzgerald came after discussions with the board of trustees, students, alumni, and Fitzgerald himself.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WLS-TV
Northwestern Wildcats football coach Pat Fitzgerald has been fired following disturbing hazing allegations within the football program. Northwestern President Michael Schill stated that the hazing, which included forced participation, nudity, and sexualized acts, violated school policy. Former and current players have come forward to share their experiences, revealing a systemic issue that dates back many years. While there is no credible evidence that Fitzgerald knew about the hazing, Schill emphasized that the head coach is ultimately responsible for the team's culture. The university is expected to announce future team leadership soon.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ESPN
Northwestern has fired head football coach Pat Fitzgerald following a two-week unpaid suspension in the wake of hazing allegations within the program. The university president admitted to erring in weighing the appropriate sanction and acknowledged Fitzgerald's failure to uphold the institutional commitment to the student experience. The investigation found one claim from an anonymous whistleblower to be supported, leading to measures such as no more preseason practices off campus and a new football locker room monitor. Fitzgerald, who has coached Northwestern since 2006, expressed disappointment and denied prior knowledge of the incidents.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by WLS-TV
Former and current Northwestern football players have spoken out about hazing allegations within the football program, following the suspension of head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The university's president, Michael Schill, admitted to potentially making a mistake in the punishment and acknowledged focusing too much on what Fitzgerald didn't know rather than what he should have known. A former player described sexualized hazing practices, including a practice called "running," where younger players were restrained while older players engaged in sexual acts. The university's student-run newspaper also reported similar allegations. The entire Northwestern football team released a statement denying the validity of the accusations and asserting that they do not reflect the true character of the team. The university president will reassess the punishment for Fitzgerald.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ESPN
A former Northwestern football player, who spoke anonymously, claims that head coach Pat Fitzgerald "failed" by not stopping hazing within the program. The player alleges that hazing, often sexualized, was organized and widespread, led by a group called the "Shrek gang." The player also accuses Fitzgerald of signaling for players to be added to a hazing list. The university's investigation found the player's allegations to be largely supported by evidence, but stated that coaches did not know about ongoing hazing. The former player seeks action to remove Fitzgerald from the program, while a current player claims the former player had a plan to take down the coach. Northwestern players released a statement supporting Fitzgerald, calling the allegations exaggerated and twisted.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by ABC News
Northwestern University will gather more information on football hazing allegations after suspending coach Pat Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay. An investigation led by attorney Maggie Hickey did not find sufficient evidence that the coaching staff knew about ongoing hazing, but a recent report detailed specific instances of hazing and sexual abuse, suggesting that Fitzgerald may have known. Northwestern President Michael Schill acknowledged his failure to consider Fitzgerald's failure in levying a sanction and plans to determine next steps, which could include additional punishment. The university has implemented measures such as discontinuing preseason football camps, monitoring the locker room, creating an online tool for reporting hazing, and requiring anti-hazing training. Other schools, including New Mexico State and Harvard, have also faced hazing allegations within their athletic programs.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC Sports
Northwestern University President Michael Schill is reconsidering the discipline imposed on football coach Pat Fitzgerald after specific information regarding hazing allegations against the team surfaced. A former player spoke to the Daily Northwestern and shared his experiences with Schill, who expressed receptiveness and stated that the board would revisit the topic to determine the best course of action. Schill admitted that he focused too much on what Fitzgerald didn't know rather than what he should have known. The case highlights the consequences of attempting to cover up issues, as the truth tends to come out eventually.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NBC Sports
Northwestern football players have defended their coach, Pat Fitzgerald, who is currently serving a two-week suspension following hazing allegations against the program. The allegations include a practice called "running," where young players were punished by being restrained and subjected to sexual abuse by upperclassmen. The players issued a statement denying the hazing allegations and stating that Fitzgerald had no knowledge of the incidents. However, the Daily Northwestern revealed the possibility that Fitzgerald knew about the "running" ritual. The investigation into the allegations is being conducted by an independent third party, but concerns have been raised about the true independence of such investigations. The impact of the suspension on Fitzgerald's future with the program and potential NFL prospects remains uncertain.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Yahoo! Voices
The Mexican Navy and United States Coast Guard are searching for three missing American sailors off the coast of Mexico. An 11-year-old girl was able to truly experience the Disney magic recently thanks to a princess who knew how to communicate with her in American Sign Language. Donald Trump has doubled his number of business holdings since leaving the White House. The U.S. Space Force is preparing for potential future conflict in space. Two Greek organizations at a California state university are under investigation due to hazing allegations after a third was suspended following a hazing probe.