Northwestern Resolves Hazing Legal Cases; Pat Fitzgerald's Lawsuit Persists
A team of soccer players reached a settlement with Northwestern University regarding allegations of hazing and abusive conduct under former coach Pat Fitzgerald.
According to Bloomberg News, "master settlement agreements" were signed, but the final paperwork is still being completed. The group of plaintiffs, estimated to be 25 in total, will drop their lawsuits against both Northwestern and Fitzgerald, who was dismissed in July 2023.
Fitzgerald's lawyers confirmed the settlement in a statement released to the media. However, their client is still pursuing legal action for wrongful termination against Northwestern.
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"He maintains that Northwestern unlawfully terminated his employment, breached an oral contract, and defamed him, causing significant damage to his impeccable reputation," attorneys Dan K. Webb and Matthew R. Carter stated.
"(Monday), Northwestern attempted to delay Coach Fitzgerald's trial by almost five months. The court denied this motion, and Coach Fitzgerald's trial will proceed on November 3, 2025. He eagerly awaits his day in court, where he believes a jury will hold Northwestern and President (Michael) Schill accountable for the severe harm inflicted on his personal and professional reputation."
A former Northwestern player accused the program of hazing in November 2022, but the university conducted an investigation and found no evidence that Fitzgerald or his assistants were aware of the hazing.
The following July, Fitzgerald was given a two-week suspension, which prompted a letter signed by Northwestern players defending their coach and denouncing the allegations as "exaggerated and distorted." However, three former players came forward to the student newspaper, accusing Fitzgerald of making racist remarks, and Northwestern ultimately decided to fire him.
Fitzgerald, a former star linebacker at the university and member of the College Football Hall of Fame, filed a lawsuit against Northwestern later in 2023, claiming that there was a verbal agreement with Schill that he would face no further punishment beyond the initial two-week suspension.
In Tuesday's statement, Fitzgerald's lawyers stated that there is no evidence to support the allegations against him after an extensive discovery process.
"As previously stated," they wrote, "Coach Fitzgerald did nothing wrong."
