Northwestern University Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Suspended for Two Weeks Amid Hazing Allegations
Northwestern University has taken swift action following an investigation into allegations of hazing within its football program. Head football coach Pat Fitzgerald has been suspended without pay for two weeks, effective immediately. The independent investigation was conducted by a former Illinois inspector general and began in December after an anonymous email complaint was received. The university has made public an executive summary of the investigation’s findings.
The investigation concluded that while Fitzgerald and other coaching staff members were unaware of the hazing activities, there were opportunities for them to discover and report the misconduct. The university emphasized that the evidence largely supported the claims made by the anonymous whistleblower. The alleged hazing involved football players pressuring their teammates to participate in activities that took place primarily in the locker room. The investigation suggests that the hazing may have originated at Camp Kenosha in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the team held its training camp.
In response to the investigation’s findings, Northwestern University will implement several measures going forward. Practices at Camp Kenosha will be discontinued, and the university will require locker room monitoring by an individual who does not report to the football coaching staff. Additionally, an online tool will be established for reporting incidents of potential hazing or hazing-related concerns among student-athletes. All coaches, staff members, and student-athletes will undergo annual mandatory anti-hazing training.
In a statement, Coach Fitzgerald expressed his disappointment upon learning about the allegations, asserting that he was not aware of any such activities. He emphasized that Northwestern football prides itself on developing not just athletes but fine young men with character, aligning with the university’s highest standards. Despite a challenging 1-11 record last season, Fitzgerald, who is entering his 18th season coaching the Wildcats, has led the program to four bowl game victories since 2016.
The investigation was led by Maggie Hickey, former state executive inspector general. Hickey’s team interviewed more than 50 individuals affiliated or formerly affiliated with the football program and found evidence supporting the whistleblower’s claims regarding hazing activities and events. Northwestern University President Michael Schill condemned hazing in all forms, stating that it goes against the university’s core values. He expressed his expectations that the actions taken will prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all students, Northwestern is committed to upholding the highest standards in its athletics programs. The university acknowledges that in this case, those standards were not met, and steps are being taken to rectify the situation. Northwestern University aims to learn from this incident and move forward with stronger measures against hazing.
As Northwestern University addresses the hazing allegations and implements preventive measures, the focus will now shift to rebuilding trust within the football program and ensuring the well-being of student-athletes. The university remains committed to fostering a supportive and secure environment where all students can thrive.
