Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald is going through probably harsh self-discipline over a hazing investigation, however it doesn’t sound just like the punishment will likely be sufficient for the previous participant who got here ahead with allegations.
Fitzgerald final Friday was suspended with out pay for 2 weeks following a hazing investigation that Northwestern launched in January. The investigation discovered that one allegation from an nameless whistleblower was supported, although Fitzgerald insisted he had no information of any hazing.
Then on Saturday, an nameless former Northwestern soccer participant spoke with the college’s newspaper, the Every day Northwestern, and shared a series of troubling new allegations. The previous participant, who described the hazing as “completely egregious and vile,” stated the habits concerned coerced sexual acts and that Fitzgerald could have inspired it.
The previous participant advised ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg that he spoke with Northwestern president Michael Schill on Sunday. Schill stated he “could have erred” together with his preliminary self-discipline for Fitzgerald and is contemplating a harsher punishment.
“Fitz completely knew about hazing on this program,” the previous participant advised Rittenberg. “Fitz completely failed by not intervening. Fitz knew, and he ought to have made it cease; and if he actually didn’t know, he shouldn’t be the pinnacle coach. Both method, he shouldn’t be the pinnacle coach, as a result of he isn’t monitoring and defending the protection and well-being of student-athletes.”
Northwestern gamers launched a press release on Saturday supporting Fitzgerald and calling the hazing allegations “exaggerated and twisted.” One nameless present Wildcats participant advised ESPN that the whistleblower knowledgeable the present participant of a detailed plan to try to get Fitzgerald fired after which some.
“He simply saved emphasizing, ‘Yeah, it’ll be OK. I’m simply attempting to get Coach Fitz fired,’” the present participant alleged. “I don’t assume he ever acknowledged what he’s saying will not be true. It was identical to, ‘I’d embellish or exaggerate to get Coach Fitz fired.’ He stated his sole purpose was to see Coach Fitz rot in jail. The reality is none of that stuff occurred in our locker room.”
The previous participant admitted to ESPN that he needs Fitzgerald fired however stated he additionally wished to make clear “a fully barbaric and egregious tradition that in the end lies on the shoulders of the pinnacle coach.”
You’ll be able to learn more details of the whistleblower’s allegations here.
Fitzgerald has been the pinnacle coach at Northwestern since 2006.
