North West football program at Northwestern University is facing serious allegations of hazing, which has led to the suspension of head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The scandal comes as a blow to the program, which had been experiencing success in recent seasons and had high hopes for the upcoming 2023 season. The allegations involve vile and inhumane practices, including forced sexual acts and physical punishments.
According to reports by student newspaper The Daily Northwestern, hazing rituals within the North West football team were brutal and degrading. One anonymous player revealed that the main form of hazing was called racing, where an individual would be restrained by upperclassmen and subjected to rubbing in a dark locker room. Another player confirmed these allegations.
The first player described the hazing as absolutely egregious, despicable, and inhuman behavior, stating that it had been a part of the program for years. The upperclassmen would allegedly single out an individual to participate in the hazing rituals, and it was claimed that sometimes Coach Fitzgerald himself would give the signal for the hazing to begin during practices. Northwestern’s investigation did not find conclusive evidence that Fitzgerald had knowledge of the hazing.
The Daily Northwestern also reported on other disturbing rituals, including freshmen being forced to strip naked and perform various acts, such as a ritual called the car wash. During this ritual, players would walk past naked teammates and be doused with a hose. Another incident involved a freshman quarterback being coerced into taking a picture of a center while they were both naked.
The first player reported the hazing incidents to the college in November 2022. As a result of the investigation, Coach Pat Fitzgerald has been suspended without pay for two weeks. The university has acknowledged the hazing allegations but concluded that Fitzgerald was unaware of the activities. The suspension is set to end before the start of fall practices.
Northwestern University has taken further measures in response to the hazing scandal. Off-campus practices in Kenosha, Wisconsin, have been banned, and a staff member who doesn’t report to Fitzgerald will now guard the team’s locker room to prevent future incidents.
University president Michael Schill condemned hazing in any form, stating that it is unacceptable. He expressed his disappointment in the program’s failure to meet the highest standards. Northwestern aims to support and protect the students who have made the allegations, but specific details of the findings from the investigation have not been disclosed.
The unnamed player who disclosed the hazing incidents criticized the school’s actions as a mere slap on the wrist and called for greater transparency regarding the investigation.
The hazing scandal at Northwestern University’s football program is deeply troubling and tarnishes the reputation of a team that had been experiencing success on the field. The allegations of vile and inhumane practices are a stark reminder of the importance of addressing hazing in college sports and ensuring the safety and well-being of student-athletes. The university’s response, including the suspension of Coach Fitzgerald and the implementation of new preventive measures, reflects the seriousness with which they are taking the matter.
It is crucial that the investigation into these allegations continues and that appropriate actions are taken to ensure accountability. Hazing has no place in any athletic program, and schools must prioritize the safety and welfare of their students. The Northwestern hazing scandal serves as a reminder that more needs to be done to eradicate hazing from college sports and protect the well-being of student-athletes.
