Hazing Scandal Rocks Northwestern Football as Head Coach’s Future Hangs in the Balance

Northwestern University’s football season is set to begin on September 3rd at Rutgers, but the team’s head coach, Pat Fitzgerald, may not be on the sideline for the opener. The university recently announced that Fitzgerald has been suspended for two weeks without pay following an outside investigation into hazing incidents within the football program.

The investigation was prompted by a report in The Daily Northwestern, the student newspaper, which detailed a former player’s account of the hazing incidents. According to the former player, a practice called “running” was used to punish primarily freshman players for on-field mistakes. The players would be restrained in a dark locker room by upperclassmen wearing masks, who would then “dry hump” the younger players. Another player confirmed these details to the newspaper.

While the university did not release specific details of the hazing incidents, an executive summary of the investigation confirmed the anonymous whistleblower’s report. The summary also stated that there was no sufficient evidence to believe that the coaching staff knew about the ongoing hazing conduct, but it did find that there were significant opportunities to discover and report the hazing.

In response to the report, Fitzgerald expressed his disappointment and emphasized that the university holds its student-athletes to the highest standards. However, his reputation has taken a significant hit, especially considering his previous statements about having a “zero tolerance” policy regarding hazing.

The former player who came forward described the hazing as “absolutely egregious and vile and inhumane behavior.” The newspaper also obtained images from whiteboards that listed the names of players who needed to be punished, and the former player explained that these rituals were done under the guise of “team bonding.”

In addition to Fitzgerald’s suspension, Northwestern University announced several actions to prevent hazing within its football program. This includes the permanent closing of training camps in Kenosha and the implementation of anti-hazing measures.

Fitzgerald, who became head coach in 2006, is the winningest football coach in Northwestern’s history. He received a 10-year contract extension in 2021 after leading the team to the Big Ten championship game for the second time in three years. However, following the report, calls for Fitzgerald’s ouster have begun.

As the 2023 football season approaches, Northwestern University is facing a significant challenge in addressing the hazing incidents and rebuilding the reputation of its football program.

How will the suspension of Coach Pat Fitzgerald impact the Northwestern Wildcats’ football season

Run” them. The former player also alleged that there were instances of physical and verbal abuse during these hazing incidents.

Following the publication of the article, Northwestern University launched an external investigation into the hazing allegations. The investigation found that the hazing incidents did occur within the football program, and that Coach Pat Fitzgerald had knowledge of these incidents but failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address them.

As a result of the investigation’s findings, Fitzgerald has been suspended for two weeks without pay. This suspension will prevent him from coaching the team for their season opener against Rutgers on September 3rd. It is unclear if Fitzgerald will be present on the sidelines for future games after his suspension ends.

The hazing incidents described in The Daily Northwestern’s article are deeply troubling and unacceptable. Hazing has no place in college athletics, and it is crucial that actions are taken to prevent such behavior from occurring in the future.

Northwestern University has stated that they take these allegations seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of their student-athletes. They have announced that they will be implementing new policies and training programs to prevent hazing and ensure a positive and inclusive team culture.

This incident serves as a reminder that hazing is a serious issue within sports, and it is the responsibility of coaches and athletic departments to create an environment where such behavior is not tolerated. The suspension of Coach Pat Fitzgerald sends a clear message that hazing will not be tolerated at Northwestern University.

As the football season begins, the Northwestern Wildcats will take the field without their head coach. It is a challenging situation for the team, but it is important that they prioritize the well-being of their players and work towards a culture of respect, inclusivity, and accountability.