Posted on Oct 5, 2023
Ex-coach sues Northwestern for $130M for wrongful termination in hazing scandal
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https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/ [login to see] /northwestern-coach-pat-fitzgerald-lawsuit-hazing
Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing the school for $130 million, saying his alma mater wrongfully fired him in the wake of a hazing and abuse scandal that has engulfed the athletic department.
The announcement by Chicago-based attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter on Thursday comes nearly three months after Fitzgerald was suspended and then fired after 17 years.
Attorney Webb said that Fitzgerald would also be seeking additional money for "infliction of emotional distress," future lost income and punitive damages. The $130 million includes $68 million remaining in owed salary plus $62 million in future lost income, Webb added. The suit is being filed in Cook County Circuit Court against the university and its President Michael Schill, he said.
Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing the school for $130 million, saying his alma mater wrongfully fired him in the wake of a hazing and abuse scandal that has engulfed the athletic department.
The announcement by Chicago-based attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter on Thursday comes nearly three months after Fitzgerald was suspended and then fired after 17 years.
Attorney Webb said that Fitzgerald would also be seeking additional money for "infliction of emotional distress," future lost income and punitive damages. The $130 million includes $68 million remaining in owed salary plus $62 million in future lost income, Webb added. The suit is being filed in Cook County Circuit Court against the university and its President Michael Schill, he said.
Ex-coach sues Northwestern for $130M for wrongful termination in hazing scandal
Posted from npr.org
Northwestern University
College Football
Hazing
Scandal
Lawsuit
Posted 7 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Attorneys said that what Webb characterized as "horseplay" were actually naked drills, a hazing ritual called a "car wash" in which players were forced to walk between soaped-up naked teammates in the shower, and other allegations that included players being forcefully dry-humped by teammates.
"(Fitzgerald) is saying through his lawyers that these players – his family – are liars," attorney Margaret Battersby Black said on Thursday.
"That he allows his attorney to so callously call these former family members liars shows you everything you need to know about the culture he established at this school. And he's trying to continue to suppress and victimize these young men by painting himself as the victim. All his press conference today did was establish that he put a winning record over the mental health and physical safety of the men whose homes he went into and to whose parents he promised he look after."
Levin said that the purpose of Webb's press conference was to intimidate former players who are suing the school while attempting to get Fitzgerald $130 million in damages.
"(Fitzgerald) claims that he's the one who has been harmed," Levin said, referring to a lawsuit that attorneys called a "public relations puff piece". For him, it's about money and that's what this suit is all about, and apparently, he and his lawyer will say anything to get his money for him."
Fitzgerald has maintained throughout the scandal that he was not aware that hazing was taking place within his program. Former players who are suing the school and who have named Fitzgerald as a defendant in lawsuits claim that they were the victims of sexualized hazing during their time with the Northwestern football program.
Fitzgerald was still owed $68 million on a 10-year contract extension he signed with Northwestern in 2021. In addition to breach of contract, the suit seeks damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and claims for punitive damages."...
..."Attorneys said that what Webb characterized as "horseplay" were actually naked drills, a hazing ritual called a "car wash" in which players were forced to walk between soaped-up naked teammates in the shower, and other allegations that included players being forcefully dry-humped by teammates.
"(Fitzgerald) is saying through his lawyers that these players – his family – are liars," attorney Margaret Battersby Black said on Thursday.
"That he allows his attorney to so callously call these former family members liars shows you everything you need to know about the culture he established at this school. And he's trying to continue to suppress and victimize these young men by painting himself as the victim. All his press conference today did was establish that he put a winning record over the mental health and physical safety of the men whose homes he went into and to whose parents he promised he look after."
Levin said that the purpose of Webb's press conference was to intimidate former players who are suing the school while attempting to get Fitzgerald $130 million in damages.
"(Fitzgerald) claims that he's the one who has been harmed," Levin said, referring to a lawsuit that attorneys called a "public relations puff piece". For him, it's about money and that's what this suit is all about, and apparently, he and his lawyer will say anything to get his money for him."
Fitzgerald has maintained throughout the scandal that he was not aware that hazing was taking place within his program. Former players who are suing the school and who have named Fitzgerald as a defendant in lawsuits claim that they were the victims of sexualized hazing during their time with the Northwestern football program.
Fitzgerald was still owed $68 million on a 10-year contract extension he signed with Northwestern in 2021. In addition to breach of contract, the suit seeks damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and claims for punitive damages."...
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