Northwestern Football Scandal: The Ascent and Descent of Fitzgerald in Hazing Incident
In July 2023, Northwestern University fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald after allegations of hazing within the football program were revealed. The allegations, made by former players and first submitted to the university in October 2022, have left the program reeling following a 1-11 season.
The investigation into the hazing allegations was led by outside investigator Maggie Hickey, a lawyer at ArentFox Schiff and former executive assistant U.S. attorney and inspector general of Illinois. The investigation determined that participation or knowledge of the hazing activities was widespread across the Northwestern University football program, but it did not uncover any specific misconduct by any individual football player or coach.
The first signs of trouble came on July 8, when the school was informed of a hazing ritual called "the carwash." In this ritual, players were reported to have stood naked at the shower entrance, spinning around, and rubbing up against those entering the showers. Another hazing ritual detailed was naked center-quarterback exchanges involving freshmen.
Pat Fitzgerald, who was entering his 18th season as head coach at Northwestern University, was originally suspended for two weeks for the hazing incidents before a pivot by the university. However, the coach hinted at a possible lawsuit when he wrote that the suspension was part of a "mutual agreement," and he was "surprised" the agreement was "unilaterally revoked . . . without any prior notification."
On July 10, President Schill announced the firing of Pat Fitzgerald after a "difficult and complex" evaluation of his original decision to suspend the coach. The coach, who compiled a 110-101 record at Northwestern University, including a 5-5 mark in bowl games, and whose tenure at Northwestern University was tied for the fourth longest among current Division I coaches, sued the university and Schill in a Cook County, Ill. trial court, seeking in excess of $130 million.
On Aug. 21, 2025, Fitzgerald's lawsuit against Northwestern and the university president was settled. David Braun was named the full-time head coach of the Northwestern football program on Nov. 13, 2023.
The hazing allegations against Pat Fitzgerald were initially revealed in an anonymous email complaint to Northwestern University on November 30, 2022. On July 10, 11 current or former players confirmed that hazing had been a part of the college football program for "many years."
The investigation into the hazing allegations at Northwestern University is ongoing, and the school has taken steps to address the issue, including implementing a zero-tolerance policy for hazing and providing resources for students who have experienced hazing. The university has also established a hotline for students to report incidents of hazing and has hired a full-time compliance officer to oversee the football program.
In a statement, Northwestern University President Schill said, "We are committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for all of our students, and we take allegations of hazing very seriously. We will continue to work closely with the football program to ensure that our policies are being followed and that our students are being supported."
The hazing scandal at Northwestern University has shed light on a problem that is all too common in college athletics. The school is working to address the issue and ensure that its football program is a safe and respectful place for all students.
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