Northwestern University’s upcoming football season is marred by an off-field focus, stemming from a hazing scandal that rocked the institution and led to the departure of long-standing coach and former player, Pat Fitzgerald. As the Wildcats prepare to kick off their season on September 3 against Rutgers, it’s evident that the repercussions of this scandal will not easily dissipate. With over 20 lawsuits already filed against Fitzgerald, the school, as well as present and former coaches and administrators, the situation remains far from resolved. Three distinct legal teams have spearheaded these legal actions, primarily representing football players, though the controversy has also extended to volleyball. Another legal team is representing former baseball staff members, though the school contends that this particular case lacks merit.
The pending lawsuits share a common thread, alleging negligence and asserting that athletic administrators and coaches failed in their responsibility to protect the entrusted athletes. Northwestern has consistently refrained from commenting on ongoing litigation, and Fitzgerald has vehemently denied any knowledge of the hazing activities. The volleyball matter has been claimed by the school to have been adequately addressed at the time. Among the legal teams, anticipation exists that Northwestern may seek to counter some lawsuits based on exceeding the statute of limitations, yet this won’t apply to all cases. This potential argument is viewed by some as unsuitable given the dedication of the student-athletes to the university. Numerous lawsuits have already been filed, with more expected in the near future.
Key attorneys Pat Salvi II and Parker Stinar are behind six lawsuits, including one representing an anonymous former Northwestern volleyball player. These lawsuits revolve around negligence claims, asserting that the university’s duty of care towards the athletes was compromised. Northwestern’s official stance on pending litigation remains consistent – no comments. The legal landscape is further complicated by the involvement of prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump as co-counsel in these lawsuits.
The lawsuits share disturbing commonalities involving a group known as the “Shrek squad,” upperclassmen who subjected teammates to torment while wearing masks. A practice referred to as “running,” where younger players were forcibly subjected to humiliating actions, features prominently in the complaints. Allegations range from forced naked pull-ups and football drills to a degrading practice known as the “car wash.” These events are claimed to have primarily occurred at the university’s training camp, Camp Kenosha.
Crump has likened this situation to the “Me Too” movement in college sports, implying a widespread culture of abuse. The legal teams involved anticipate an influx of plaintiffs joining the lawsuits. A third legal team, introduced recently, has brought forward similar allegations of abuse, including racial mistreatment. The involvement of figures like former athletic director and current Packers CEO Mark Murphy has added a layer of complexity.
Legal collaboration is occurring among the various legal teams, with a mass tort approach replacing a class action due to the distinct nature of each plaintiff’s claim. The number of lawsuits is expected to surge beyond 100 in the ensuing months. The road ahead involves an extended discovery process, with complaints potentially being refined as new evidence emerges.
Northwestern is undertaking several measures to address the situation, including enhancing locker room monitoring, anti-hazing training, and introducing an online reporting tool. An independent review into the university’s athletic culture, led by the law firm Paul Weiss and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, is in progress. The legal teams are pushing for the release of the full investigation report from the law firm ArentFox, which Northwestern had previously commissioned.
In the midst of this turmoil, the current football team is expressing solidarity and support for their peers and former coach through messages and attire. The slogan “Cats against the world” emblazoned on T-shirts, coupled with Fitzgerald’s jersey number, serves as a symbol of unity amidst the challenges the university faces.