Northwestern football players to skip Big Ten Media Days amid hazing scandal fallout

Northwestern football won’t have any gamers current at Massive Ten Media Days this week within the wake of this system’s hazing scandal.

In a joint assertion, Bryce Gallagher, Rod Heard II and Bryce Kirtz confirmed they may skip the two-day occasion in Indianapolis. The athletes mentioned they spoke with their household, teammates and interim coach David Braun earlier than reaching their resolution.

“This was very tough since we have been excited in regards to the alternative to take part on this nice Big Ten tradition, and to speak in regards to the recreation we love and the season forward,” Gallagher, Heard and Kirtz mentioned Tuesday.

The gamers additionally mentioned their attendance had the potential to carry undesirable consideration.

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Northwestern soccer gamers Bryce Gallagher, Rod Heard II and Bryce Kirtz confirmed they won’t attend Massive Ten Media Days in Indianapolis this week as this system is investigated for hazing. (Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)

“However given the current occasions involving the Northwestern soccer program, we didn’t need our participation to be dominated by the hazing concern and steal the main target away from soccer and the upcoming season. We’re proud members of the NU soccer program and wish our on-field efficiency and off-field conduct to at all times replicate the values of the college and our followers.”

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The scandal resulted within the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 10 and the silence of Northwestern gamers over the previous couple of weeks.

Braun backed the gamers’ resolution to take a seat out of this week’s occasion.

“The choice from our gamers to forgo Massive Ten Media Day was fully theirs, they usually approached it with a substantial amount of maturity and thoughtfulness,” Braun mentioned in a press release. “I am absolutely supportive of each their reasoning and the choice itself, and I look ahead to attending the occasion.”

Northwestern’s interim head soccer coach David Braun will attend Massive Ten Media Days with none gamers by his facet. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune/Tribune Information Service by way of Getty Pictures)

Northwestern soccer is going through multiple lawsuits from former gamers alleging hazing and abusive conduct in this system.

Lloyd Yates is likely one of the former soccer gamers who filed go well with towards the varsity. Yates mentioned he declined to determine gamers who led hazing incidents as a result of he views them as “victims” of this system’s tradition. 

Not one of the lawsuits filed determine gamers by identify.

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired from his place on July 10 following an investigation into hazing throughout the program. The college mentioned Fitzgerald was not conscious of the allegations till late final 12 months. (Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities)

The varsity has dedicated to conducting investigations into all allegations as they’re dropped at their consideration. A July 8 assertion that was attributed to the Northwestern staff as an entire mentioned this system has a zero tolerance for hazing. 

The assertion additionally claimed the now-former coach Fitzgerald was not conscious of the allegations till the college began its investigation into hazing late final 12 months.

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Northwestern kicks off the common season on the highway towards Rutgers on Sept. 3.