After a scathing report of permitted or encouraged hazing activities occurring within the Northwestern Wildcats Football program and an official finding by the educational institution that the allegations were “largely supported,” Northwestern University is taking action. But some say the school is not doing enough in light of the serious allegations. Here is what we know about this developing story.

The news first broke in The Daily Northwestern, a student-led newspaper, after an anonymous student athlete reported the accusations to the college newspaper. A second student corroborated many of the accusations.

The Daily Northwestern reported the university football team engaged in the following alleged hazing activities:

Participating in a practice called “running,” in which a player would be restrained by eight to ten upperclassmen who would simulate sexual acts on the victim in a dark locker room

Forcing younger players to drink sports drink shakes until they vomited

Engaging in a practice called “the carwash,” in which a naked player would stand at the entrance to the showers and spin around so others would have to rub up against them to get to the shower

Forcing players to strip naked and bear crawl or slingshot themselves across the floor with exercise bands

Spraying players with a water hose

Read our latest press release here.

According to The Daily Northwestern, these practices are against the university’s zero tolerance of hazing and sexual misconduct policies.

The newspaper report spurred the university to commence a six-month official investigation. Its findings were released on July 7, 2023. However, it said that it was keeping many findings confidential to protect students’ privacy.

The anonymous student said that some players believed the Northwestern Wildcats football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, knew about and encouraged the hazing activities. However, Fitzgerald has denied the allegations, and the official investigation concluded it could not find sufficient evidence that Fitzgerald knew of the hazing activities.

The university initially responded by suspending Fitzgerald for two weeks without pay. However, ESPN and other news outlets have reported that the university is considering stricter punishment amid media backlash and after acknowledging Fitzgerald had ample opportunity to learn about and prevent such hazing.

In addition to penalizing Fitzgerald, the university has appointed a neutral locker room monitor to prevent such conduct and prohibited any further training offsite at Camp Kenosha, where some of the abuse was alleged to have occurred.

Since the college newspaper story broke, other allegations about the football program have arisen.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard has a history of representing sexual assault victims and is lending its aid to others who may have been victimized in similar events. If you are a football, volleyball, baseball, or softball player, cheerleader, or other student athlete subjected to prohibited hazing activities at Northwestern University or at another school, college, or university, reach out to our team for immediate assistance.

If you were victimized by similar hazing activities, know you are not alone. The compassionate attorneys and staff at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can listen to your story, represent you at any collegiate or legal proceedings, and help you seek the justice and accountability you deserve. Fill out a submission form or contact us today to tell us more about your situation. We provide a free and confidential case review.

About the Stinar Law Firm – Of-Counsel

Patrick A. Salvi II

Our attorneys have dedicated their careers to representing survivors of sexual abuse. We have represented hundreds of sexual abuse survivors against academic institutions, including those abused by Michigan State’s Dr. Larry Nassar and the University of Michigan’s Dr. Robert Anderson. We have participated in more than a billion dollars of settlements for survivors of sexual assault. Parker Stinar is an Of-Counsel attorney at Salvi, Scholstok & Pritchard P.C.

Managing Partner

Parker Stinar

Of-Counsel

Your professionalism and expertise calmed my considerable distress as I had never experienced anything similar to this unfortunate incident and I really did not know what to do. I will recommend your firm to any family member or acquaintance when they need excellent legal representation.”

My family and I wanted to thank you again for everything you have done for us in the past 3 ½ years. At a very traumatic time you were there to fight for and look out for my best interests and those of my family. We would not have been able to come to this resolution without all of your hard work and support.”

- CECILIA S.

- RONALD K.

Request your free consultation now and discuss your situation with our team!