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A report from The Day by day Northwestern consists of particulars of alleged hazing throughout the Northwestern football program, and head coach Pat Fitzgerald was suspended for 2 weeks by the varsity Friday.
A former participant informed the outlet the incidents included acts of sexual misconduct, amongst different “completely egregious and vile and inhumane conduct.”
He mentioned gamers, principally freshman, can be “dry-[humped]” by a number of upperclassmen who have been wearing “Purge-like” masks in a follow known as “operating.” A participant can be “ran” often if he made errors at follow.
The participant mentioned if different staff members clapped their palms above their heads close to a participant, that meant he needed to be “ran.” Fitzgerald denies figuring out concerning the allegations, however the participant says Fitzgerald made the sign throughout practices, encouraging the hazing to go on.
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![Pat Fitzgerald on sideline](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/640/320/pat-fitzgerald-2.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats towards the Penn State Nittany Lions throughout the first half at Beaver Stadium Oct. 1, 2022, in State School, Pa. (Getty Photos)
“It’s a stunning expertise as a freshman to see your fellow freshman teammates get ran, however then you definately see all people bystanding within the locker room,” the participant mentioned. “It’s only a actually abrasive and barbaric tradition that has permeated all through that program for years on finish now.
“Everybody would simply be taking a look at one another and be like, ‘Bro, Fitz is aware of about this,’ since you wouldn’t take that motion in any other case,” the participant added. “Everybody joins in as a result of he’s the pinnacle coach.
“It’s completed underneath this smoke and mirror of ‘Oh, that is staff bonding.’ However, no, that is sexual abuse.”
The participant additionally mentioned staff members have been compelled to strip bare and carry out numerous acts, together with bear-crawling and slingshotting themselves throughout the ground with train bands. A freshman quarterback additionally needed to take a snap from a freshman middle whereas each have been bare.
One other alleged incident included the “Gatorade shake problem,” the place gamers must drink as many Gatorade shakes as potential in 10 minutes. The participant mentioned he is “by no means seen anybody not throw up” in consequence.
![Pat Fitzgerald](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/640/320/pat-fitzgerald.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats reacts towards the Wisconsin Badgers throughout the first half at Ryan Area Oct. 8, 2022 in Evanston, Sick. (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)
Fitzgerald mentioned he was “very disillusioned” when he heard concerning the allegations.
“Northwestern football prides itself on producing not simply athletes, however effective younger males with character befitting this system and our college,” he mentioned. “We maintain our student-athletes and our program to the best requirements; we are going to proceed to work to exceed these requirements transferring ahead.”
“Northwestern Athletics prides itself on offering a world-class student-athlete expertise, which features a protected and respectful surroundings for all of our college students, coaches and employees,” athletic director Derrick Gragg mentioned. “We respect the braveness of the people who got here ahead to make us conscious of the difficulty, and we vow to do our half to create a extra constructive surroundings transferring ahead.”
![Pat Fitzgerald running off field](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/07/640/320/pat-fitzgerald-1.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats runs off the sphere after shedding to the Wisconsin Badgers at Ryan Area Oct. 8, 2022, in Evanston, Sick. (Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)
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The varsity mentioned it’ll require annual anti-hazing training for coaches, employees members and athletes with an emphasis on reporting choices and the accountability to report in addition to self-discipline.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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