News about Pat Fitzgerald

Former football coach Pat Fitzgerald, who alleges that his alma mater improperly ended his service as a result of a bullying controversy within the athletic department, is being sued for $130 million. The news by Chicago-based attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter came nearly three months after Fitzgerald was suspended and then dismissed after 17 years. Fitzgerald will also be seeking additional funds for 'infliction of emotional distress,' future lost income, and punitive damage, according to attorney Webb. According to Webb, the $130 million figure includes $68 million in outstanding salary plus $62 million in future lost earnings. The university and its President Michael Schill are being sued in Cook County Circuit Court, according to he.

In the Northwestern Wildcats' first game since the hazing crisis resulted in a curriculum change, probe, and multiple lawsuits against the school, the Northwestern Wildcats lost by 24-7 on Sunday. As the Scarlet Knights dominated the time of possession and controlled the ball for nearly 38 minutes, Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt threw a touchdown and ran for another. Northwestern's 12th straight loss dating back to last season marked the loss in interim head coach David Braun's first game in charge.

In the midst of the ongoing hazing controversy that has resulted in a dozen lawsuits against Northwestern University assistant football, Pat Fitzgerald was seen wearing t-shirts supporting fired coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's uniform number from his playing days at Northwestern was emblazoned with the words 'Cats 'against' the world,' and the shirts were emblazoned with Fitzgerald's 'Cats' "against' the world.' Derrick Gragg, the Wildcats' athletic director, chastised the shirts, branding them "inappropriate, insulting, and tone deaf," given the hazing and bullying controversy that engulfed the program and other teams. In a tweet, he said, 'Let me be crystal clear,' he said in a tweet. At Northwestern, swimming has no place, and we are determined to do everything that is appropriate to address hazing-related issues, including exhaustively investigating any incidents or allegations of hazing or misconduct.'

"Let me be crystal clear," the Wildcats' Athletic Director Derrick Gragg said. "Hazing has no place at Northwestern, and we're determined to do whatever is necessary to address hazing-related problems, including thorough investigation into any incidents or reports of hazing or misconduct.' Gragg said that he and the university were unaware that employees were wearing the black shirts with 'Cats Against the World' and Fitzgerald's old number '51' in purple or otherwise wear them at practice.

Former Northwestern football players filed two new lawsuits, the fourth and fifth overall, alleging that as freshmen, they were exposed to demeaning and tortuous hazing (plaintiff Warren Miles Long pictured top). The claims relate to a culture of violent, intimidating, sexualized harassment, and hazing, as well as severe mental disorders that can lead to demonition, humiliation, embarrassment, and even the development of severe physical and mental disorders in individual football players.' Northwestern has recruited former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch (inset) to lead an investigation into its athletic department's culture and its anti-hazing policies after charges of bullying behavior, according to former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who is pictured bottom right.

In the middle of a hazing controversy that has already cost the university's winningest coach and a once-pristine reputation, three of Northwestern football players selected to represent the university on Wednesday's Big Ten media day postponed the game. The three hand-picked players had to cancel Wednesday interviews, causing interim coach David Braun to refuse questions about what happened and potential solutions all by himself. I would not comment on latest reports because I completely agree that our university is going through a process and will be able to speak directly to the truth,' he said, making his first public statements since Pat Fitzgerald's dismissal on July 10. "What I can say is how proud I am of the way our team has come together, with all the rumors of chaos swirling around, as well as the absolute defiance and awe in our leadership." Braun spent two national championships as the North Dakota State defensive coordinator before joining Fitzgerald's staff earlier this year. When asked specifically about coaches who were suspected of witnessing or being complicit in the misconduct, he refused to say if he would make any employee changes.

In the wake of the widespread controversy that has resulted in the dismissal of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, former Northwestern quarterback Lloyd Yates has discussed the hazing he suffered during his time at the college. 'We'll be led by some guys, and we'll be forcibly dry humped,' he said, and 'dehumanizing' is better.' The hazing was described as "intelgraphic, sexually intense behavior" that was "well known throughout the program,' Yates said.' According to Yates, 'Some players have considered suicide.' Tommy Carnifax, a former Wildcat tight end, said he was encouraged to play injured by coaches.

Several former Northwestern football players made public hazing allegations against the program on Wednesday, while a second unidentified former Wildcat sued the school over the scandal, which now extends to other areas of the athletic department, according to attorneys. In addition to increasing reports of hazing within Northwestern's baseball and softball programs, civil rights attorney Ben Crump said his law firm and other attorneys have received reports of hazing within the school's baseball and softball programs, which players described as rampant and devastating. Crump and Chicago attorney Steven Levin said they haven't filed a lawsuit on behalf of any celebrities yet, but they do represent 15 individuals and have kept in touch with hundreds of former athletes at one of their Wednesday news conference. The majority of those, according to Crump, are football players. Lloyd Yates (right) is one of more than 15 men and women who have retained Crump and the Chicago-based Levin & Perpeti law to request tuition fees due to the school's hazing controversy.

Following the hazing controversy involving its football and baseball teams, Northwestern will conduct two outside consultants into its athletic department. Following probes into hazing and bullying, football coach Pat Fitzgerald and baseball coach Jim Foster were fired. The investigations are required, according to University president Michael Schill, who wrote a letter to Northwestern faculty and staff via ESPN, to ensure 'appropriate accountability for the athletic department.'

Following a hazing controversy that resulted in coach Pat Fitzgerald's dismissal and criticism of the university's initial reaction to the allegations, eight former Northwestern football players have retained attorneys. The Chicago-based Levin & Perpetuti personal injury law firm and civil rights advocate Ben Crump announced on Monday that they had 'uncovered a slew of incidents of harassment in the Northwestern football program.' More celebrities are expected to participate in the court proceedings, according to the department, and the litigation will extend beyond Northwestern football to other college athletic programs.

According to ESPN, new Northwestern defensive coordinator David Braun has been promoted to interim head coach after Pat Fitzgerald's dismissal for hazing charges. Braun was hired in January after a 1-11 season, replacing outgoing defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil, and now will be charged with rebuilding a program that is reeling from rumors of 'barbaric' hazing. Fitzgerald's dismissal came three days after the long-serving coach was barred from working for two weeks without compensation as a result of an independent inquiry that revealed hazing charges were 'largely supported by evidence.' A player came forward to the Daily Northwestern University to report that certain of the hazing incidents involved coerced sexual activities.

Jim Foster, the head coach of Northwestern, was fired Thursday amid allegations of misconduct, three days after football coach Pat Fitzgerald was suspended due to a hazing controversy. Foster spent just one season as the Wildcats' coach. In a short statement from athletic director Derrick Gragg, the change was revealed. "Nothing will be more important to Northwestern than giving its students a place where they can grow in the classroom, in the community, and in ultimate competition at the highest level" and creating a culture that fosters our employees' flourish," Gragg said.

Despite being unaware of hazing cases among Wildcats players, Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald's staff, he was fired "for cause," according to his lawyer, potentially setting up a court contest over the remaining $42 million on his contract. Fitzgerald was fired three days after receiving a two-week suspension without pay as a result of an independent inquiry that found hazing charges were largely backed by facts.' According to the student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, a player disclosed that certain of the hazing incidents involved coerced sexual activity. Fitzgerald is also accused of preying over a 'culture that promotes bigotry,' which allegedly included black players' removal of their dreadlocks in order to better conform to the 'Wildcat Way.' Fitzgerald and his employees were aware of the hazing, but they did have the opportunity to learn about and report the incidents. Attorney Maggie Hickey and the ArentFox Schiff firm said they did not find that Fitzgerald or his workers were aware of it.

The troubled Illinois school is now investigating allegations of bullying and bullying against baseball coach Jim Foster, despite the fallout from Northwestern University's dismissal of football coach Pat Fitzgerald. A school statement sent to DailyMail.com read, 'Our department's annual review of all aspects of the Wildcats baseball program is ongoing.' Northwestern's top priority is the well-being of our student athletes.' Following Fitzgerald's firing, Foster's first season with the Wildcats emerged, with the Chicago Tribune revealing that current and former baseball players, alumni, and others close to the program contacted school president Michael Schill and athletic director Derrick Gragg about various topics. According to an internal report obtained by the Tribune, Foster 'engaged in bullying and bullying conduct.' However, it's also unknown what, if any, Northwestern has taken against Foster.

According to a survey, Northwestern has fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald after the conclusion from an inquiry into the program's hazing. A six-month investigation into allegations of hazing within the school's football team was conducted by attorney Maggie Hickey of law firm ArentFox Schiff. Following the publication of the report, Fitzgerald was first suspended for two weeks without compensation.

In the aftermath of a hazing controversy, Northwestern University president Michael Schill says he is reconsidering punishments for head football coach Pat Fitzgerald. Schill writes to the Northwestern community that he may have erred in determining the right punishment for the coach, who began serving a two-week unpaid suspension on Friday. A six-month inquiry was concluded by the school. On Saturday, The Daily Northwestern published a study that delves into hazing on the football team in a more detailed way.

According to The Daily Northwestern, a former footballer at the university who wanted to remain anonymous told the school that the sexually charged incidents were caused by the upperclassman to discipline younger players for misdeeds in preparation or games. The incidents of sexualized hazing occurred in the team's locker room, which was often dim. According to reports, a younger player was restrained, while ten to ten upperclassman dressed in 'Purge-like' masks would begin 'dry-humping' them. The 'running' would often take place around Thanksgiving and Christmas with the versions 'Runsgiving' and 'Runsmas.'

Northwestern also looked at hazing allegations within its football program, according to a university statement released on Wednesday. The university promoted a fair and diligent process while also emphasizing player safety as the university's highest priority. Following the end of the 2022 season, Northwestern said it had been made aware of the charges. 'While we don't know whether the allegations are true, hazing is forbidden by University policy, and we take these concerns seriously,' the statement reads in part.

On Saturday, Jack de Bromhead, 13, (bottom left inset) sustained fatal injuries after being thrown from his horse at the Glenbeigh Racing Festival in County Kerry. Hundreds of mourners, including Jack's classmates from school and horse racing, were among the mourners at the funeral service in Butlerstown, County Waterford, today. Hendy de Bromhead, Jack's departed father, carried his 13-year-old son's coffin into the cathedral, where he paid tribute to the 'charming and charismatic' teenager. The grieving father made a personal address to the mourners: "I just ask any of you, whoever you love, make sure you tell them."