The player, who asked to remain anonymous, said much of the hazing that took place centered around a practice dubbed “running,” which was used to punish team members, primarily freshman, for mistakes made on the field and in practice.

— The Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) July 8, 2023

After receiving the reports, the University hired outside law firm ArentFox Schiff to lead the investigation.

— The Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) July 8, 2023

“Our first priority is to support and protect our students. That is why the University immediately opened this investigation upon learning of the allegations and why we took decisive action once we ascertained the facts,” Yates wrote in an email to The Daily.

— The Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) July 8, 2023

Northwestern suspended coach Pat Fitzgerald for the next two weeks after an investigation into hazing within the football program. Northwestern's football team doesn't begin preseason practice until August, making the suspension mostly symbolic. https://t.co/BfyQ4JWquN

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 7, 2023

Justin Wilcox had as many wins in 2022 as Fitzgerald had in 2021 and 2022 combined. That's how good Wilcox is.

How can Northwestern

1) only suspend Fitzgerald two weeks for this?
2) not fire him?
3) royally screwed this up already?

After NU announced Fitzgerald's unpaid leave of absence, the coach said that he was "very disappointed" and was "not aware of the alleged incidents."

Right, I'm sure pat is telling the truth there.

Maybe Northwestern will rethink their passing up on Jim Knowlton, who has a lot of experience spending university money on outside investigations of morally bankrupt coaches.

JTfromClash said:

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How can Northwestern

1) only suspend Fitzgerald two weeks for this?
2) not fire him?
3) royally screwed this up already?

---

They'll make up for it by suspending the 4th string OG for 3 weeks heading into fall camp.

I thought that was the sec playbook

okaydo said:

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Justin Wilcox had as many wins in 2022 as Fitzgerald had in 2021 and 2022 combined. That's how good Wilcox is.

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So you'd rather have Pat Fitzgerald?

The NW President is now saying the punishment was too light. More may be coming

The QB - Center hand off....

Just for the record, the school President and investigator are saying there is no evidence the coaching staff knew about the hazing practices. The school President is saying as head coach Fitz still must be held accountable, and that there were opportunities missed to discover some of the practices. Thus, the two week suspension during a period when nothing is going on anyway (my editorial on the last part) may have been too light.

That said, Fitz is 1-8 in conference the last two years, so this may have a lot to do with finding a new football coach. One NW sports publication says they think Fitz will be fired.

I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

"If a player was selected for "running," the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various "Purge-like" masks, who would then begin "dry-humping" the victim in a dark locker room."

I am trying to understand why players would do this to another player. Could a coach have that much control over his players? Players should know when things have gone too far.

Isn't the Northwestern president the former president at Oregon?

SonomanA1 said:

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"If a player was selected for "running," the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various "Purge-like" masks, who would then begin "dry-humping" the victim in a dark locker room."

I am trying to understand why players would do this to another player. Could a coach have that much control over his players? Players should know when things have gone too far.

---

Why did/do fraternities haze pledges? Look at the abuse McKeever encouraged the other swimmers to participate in. Why do cults engage in similar practices?

It is complex, but generally for group control.

We are not publishing the photo, but former player said: "That was in the middle of the locker room for all eyes to see throughout my entire time in the program. Every single player in this program from 2020 to 2023 knows what Shrek is and knows about the hazing that occurs."

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) July 9, 2023

MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

91Cal said:

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Isn't the Northwestern president the former president at Oregon?

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yes, Northwestern has had a lot of scandals lately in an attempt to become the USC of the mid-west and gone through some Presidents lately. This guy is from Oregon and has a legal/law school background (e.g., former law dean at UCLA).

SonomanA1 said:

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"If a player was selected for "running," the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various "Purge-like" masks, who would then begin "dry-humping" the victim in a dark locker room."

I am trying to understand why players would do this to another player. Could a coach have that much control over his players? Players should know when things have gone too far.

---

This sounds like a Few Good Men scenario, which may not necessarily be the case.

4:58



An Alfred University (a school which I had never heard of) survey found that 80 percent of college athletes had been hazed. The vast majority of hazing incidents -- on the high school, college and pro levels -- go unreported and don't involve coaches. See ESPN.com June 2022. Not sure about all the player dynamics involved here, but more generally speaking Alfred U found some may engage in hazing activities with malicious intent because they enjoy the power they exert over younger team members (note a lot of hazing here was against frosh players). Other players spoke of positive outcomes for hazing activities, such as team building and group development, which often is the rational you hear for frat hazing.

This is a good opportunity for a s$itty program to replace a ****ty coach for cause but they may be too dumb to do so.

wifeisafurd said:

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SonomanA1 said:

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"If a player was selected for "running," the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various "Purge-like" masks, who would then begin "dry-humping" the victim in a dark locker room."

I am trying to understand why players would do this to another player. Could a coach have that much control over his players? Players should know when things have gone too far.

---

This sounds like a Few Good Men scenario, which may not necessarily be the case.

4:58



An Alfred University (a school which I had never heard of) survey found that 80 percent of college athletes had been hazed. The vast majority of hazing incidents -- on the high school, college and pro levels -- go unreported and don't involve coaches. See ESPN.com June 2022. Not sure about all the player dynamics involved here, but more generally speaking Alfred U found some may engage in hazing activities with malicious intent because they enjoy the power they exert over younger team members (note a lot of hazing here was against frosh players). Other players spoke of positive outcomes for hazing activities, such as team building and group development, which often is the rational you hear for frat hazing.

---

I think Alfred is a ny state college, prob dIII. If I recall correctly, it's claim to fame is its ceramics program.

wifeisafurd said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

tequila4kapp said:

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The NW President is now saying the punishment was too light. More may be coming

---

PF's suspension will be doubled to 4 weeks. The second two weeks will be served during the Spring term.

tequila4kapp said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

wifeisafurd said:

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tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

---

I understand that proof needs to be shown legally. But it really is hard to believe that Fitzgerald had no knowledge. While the players my be "embellishing" some it seems to me that some "hazing" occurred.

I doubt Fitzgerald survives. But it seems likely to me that some sort of settlement occurs where the coach gets some compensation to go away.

While the described "incidents" are extreme, I would bet that some sort of self policing does occur in many programs. I bet coaches are scrambling right now to put a lid on it.

wifeisafurd said:

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tequila4kapp said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

---

I used 1 "if" and it was effectively rhetorical / polite / giving the benefit of the doubt, as the report mentions the white board and a former player(s) say it was permanently placed in the locker room.

If the head coach had no connection to Northwestern prior to becoming the head coach there, he would probably be forced out over this.

This head coach, though, was a popular star player at Northwestern in the two best seasons their football team has ever had.

BREAKING: Three former players said Northwestern football program had a “culture of enabling racism.”https://t.co/nWPgqCxA6g

— The Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) July 10, 2023

BearSD said:

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If the head coach had no connection to Northwestern prior to becoming the head coach there, he would probably be forced out over this.

This head coach, though, was a popular star player at Northwestern in the two best seasons their football team has ever had.

---

That's why I'm glad we didn't hire that dude that got hired at that other place.

Rushinbear said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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SonomanA1 said:

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"If a player was selected for "running," the player who spoke to The Daily said, they would be restrained by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen dressed in various "Purge-like" masks, who would then begin "dry-humping" the victim in a dark locker room."

I am trying to understand why players would do this to another player. Could a coach have that much control over his players? Players should know when things have gone too far.

---

This sounds like a Few Good Men scenario, which may not necessarily be the case.

4:58



An Alfred University (a school which I had never heard of) survey found that 80 percent of college athletes had been hazed. The vast majority of hazing incidents -- on the high school, college and pro levels -- go unreported and don't involve coaches. See ESPN.com June 2022. Not sure about all the player dynamics involved here, but more generally speaking Alfred U found some may engage in hazing activities with malicious intent because they enjoy the power they exert over younger team members (note a lot of hazing here was against frosh players). Other players spoke of positive outcomes for hazing activities, such as team building and group development, which often is the rational you hear for frat hazing.

---

I think Alfred is a ny state college, prob dIII. If I recall correctly, it's claim to fame is its ceramics program.

---

To be precise, that's ceramic engineering, not ceramic arts.

tequila4kapp said:

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wifeisafurd said:

---

tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

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MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

---

I used 1 "if" and it was effectively rhetorical / polite / giving the benefit of the doubt, as the report mentions the white board and a former player(s) say it was permanently placed in the locker room.

---

The entire thread is full of ifs. The investigation found there was no evidence that the coaches knew about the hazing practices. I really don't know what went on, other than a lot of people are jumping to conclusions, using the word if [fill in]. The Report also said the players had very different view on what factually happened, so I'm not sure the ex-player [at least the report about the white board said it was just the ex-player who raised the matter with media) saying the sign was placed in the locker room permanently reflects what other players said. Why the "(s)" - has this view been confirmed by several other players? Can you post the article tor tweet? "If"... that is true, it calls into question the entire investigation.

wifeisafurd said:

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tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

MilleniaBear said:

---

I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

---

I used 1 "if" and it was effectively rhetorical / polite / giving the benefit of the doubt, as the report mentions the white board and a former player(s) say it was permanently placed in the locker room.

---

The entire thread is full of ifs. The investigation found there was no evidence that the coaches knew about the hazing practices. I really don't know what went on, other than a lot of people are jumping to conclusions, using the word if [fill in]. The Report also said the players had very different view on what factually happened, so I'm not sure the ex-player [at least the report about the white board said it was just the ex-player who raised the matter with media) saying the sign was placed in the locker room permanently reflects what other players said. Why the "(s)" - has this view been confirmed by several other players? Can you post the article tor tweet? "If"... that is true, it calls into question the entire investigation.

---

I thought I read an article this morning on ESPN describing multiple players supporting the basic allegations. That's the explanation for the "(s). That article is not currently up on ESPN...or maybe I am mistaken in what I thought I read.

Terminated

Northwestern has parted ways from Pat Fitzgerald, sources tell us.

— The Daily Northwestern (@thedailynu) July 10, 2023

So now that Fitz is gone, any insight into whether players who perpetrated hazing - or even worse sexual abuse - will face any discipline? They are adults too.

tequila4kapp said:

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wifeisafurd said:

---

tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

tequila4kapp said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

MilleniaBear said:

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I heard there is a picture of a whiteboard that listed the mistakes and what hazing was required. If there really was a whiteboard that listed stuff it is going to to be tough for PF to say he didn't know.

---

yea, I think the investigator's Report mentions that and supposedly there is a photo on the internet. The issue is where was the whiteboard posted, when and for how long, was it when coaches were around, etc. Presumably the report looked at that. The other thing about the Report is it says there are significant factual discrepancies among players, though it is clear that school policers were violated. So a lot facts may be hard to pin down with players recall being so different - just because there is a whiteboard, it doesn't necessarily follow the coaches knew per the Report.

---

If the white board is present anywhere prominent where the team exists, coaches knew or should have known.

The HC owns a culture where a public white board can exist, where publishing player's names, transgressions and hazing punishments can be acceptable.

---

Awful tot of "ifs' being thrown around...

---

I used 1 "if" and it was effectively rhetorical / polite / giving the benefit of the doubt, as the report mentions the white board and a former player(s) say it was permanently placed in the locker room.

---

The entire thread is full of ifs. The investigation found there was no evidence that the coaches knew about the hazing practices. I really don't know what went on, other than a lot of people are jumping to conclusions, using the word if [fill in]. The Report also said the players had very different view on what factually happened, so I'm not sure the ex-player [at least the report about the white board said it was just the ex-player who raised the matter with media) saying the sign was placed in the locker room permanently reflects what other players said. Why the "(s)" - has this view been confirmed by several other players? Can you post the article tor tweet? "If"... that is true, it calls into question the entire investigation.

---

I thought I read an article this morning on ESPN describing multiple players supporting the basic allegations. That's the explanation for the "(s). That article is not currently up on ESPN...or maybe I am mistaken in what I thought I read.

---

There was an open letter where a large group of players released a statement in Fitz's defense, See url. I didn't see the article confirming what the one player said. Sort of for naught, as a horrible recent record and scandal meant Fitz was terminated. Not clear if he got severance/buy-out money yet.