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Jim Phillips addresses Northwestern matter from podium at ACC Media Days
By Keith Farner
Published:
Jim Phillips voluntarily addressed the ongoing issues at Northwestern related to the hazing investigation under former coach Pat Fitzgerald as Phillips was athletics director there prior to his current stint as ACC commissioner.
Speaking from the podium in Charlotte on Tuesday at ACC Media Days, Phillips said it’s a very difficult time for the Northwestern community.
“My heart goes out to any person who carried the burden of mistreatment, or who has been harmed in any way,” he said. “During my 30-year career in college athletics, my highest priority has always been the health and safety of all student-athletes. As you know, with this matter in litigation, I’m unable to share anything more at this time. I’m happy to address your questions about the ACC and ACC football.”
Phillips last week was reportedly named as a defendant in a new lawsuit that stems from Northwestern’s ongoing hazing scandal, and on Tuesday, he referred to an earlier statement he put out.
“This has been a difficult time for the Northwestern University community, a place that my entire family called home,” Phillips said in a statement Thursday. “Over my 30-year career in intercollegiate athletics, my highest priority has always been the health and safety of all student-athletes. Hazing is completely unacceptable anywhere, and my heart goes out to anyone who carries the burden of having been mistreated. Any allegation that I ever condoned or tolerated inappropriate conduct against student-athletes is absolutely false. I will vigorously defend myself against any suggestion to the contrary.”
Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.